Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur

In this episode, we look at a favorite topic.  Here are three ways to write better code.  We create a lot of source code during our career.  Thus, this is an area where the ROI can be huge when you take these steps early on.  These will not only help you write code that is easier to maintain, but it will also reduce your bugs and improve stability. Use Static Analysis Tools For Better Code One of the best ways to improve your code quality is to find another set of eyes to provide a sanity check.  This step can avoid blatant bugs, reduce code duplication, and ensure you conform to standards.  The best set of eyes is an automated process like these tools provide.  They often draw from best practices and industry standards.  Therefore, you can also learn a significant amount about the language from these results.  They will point out common flaws and can assist you in creating good code writing habits. Some Static Code Analysis Tools Unit Testing It may seem self-evident that testing improves quality.  However, that is not the focus of this suggestion.  When you spend time walking through how the code should work (aka design), it is always worthwhile.  We learn how to build a better solution during this process as well as often thinking through exceptions in greater detail. The practice of building unit tests pushes us to take each of these design steps thoroughly.  We are forced to consider the "happy path" and the exceptions, as well as expected outcomes, for each of those cases.  When you spend time on this, you will often find yourself creating a more complete solution that is resilient.  Your users will be happier for it. Code Reviews Yes, this is very similar to the first item.  However, it shows how important reviewing your work is.  There is a lot to be gained from both static analysis tools and a human review.  The details are more likely to be caught to the automated tools, while style and readability are more often the focus of your team members.  They will also be able to tell you if your solution "makes sense" or is hard to follow.  There will also be business rules and terminology they can catch that is hard to configure into a tool. This step is one that gives to all involved.  You can learn from reviewing the work of others as much as from their input about yours.  That adds up to a highly valuable team activity. Learn More: Learning From Code Reviews

Our season of threes continues with a look at three ways to make it more likely for you to pass certifications.  These tests vary a lot in style and content detail.  However, there are three steps I have found that make your success far more likely.  These are not as quick and easy to do as some other items in our series.  On the other hand, certifications are not simple nor easy in themselves. Use Study Guides To Pass Certifications This item may seem like a self-evident step to take.  It is.  However, there are a few things these guides give you that are invaluable in taking the tests.  Technical certifications, in particular, are often broad in their topic.  Think about all that can be known about a programming language.  There is a lot of material available for creating a test.  The study guides help you see where to focus your attention.  While these are not always all-inclusive in the document, they do at least show you where the focus should be to pass certifications in the topic. Amazon List of Certification Guides Exam Simulators and Flash Cards The best way to pass certifications is to practice, practice, practice.  These are not different from any other skill or goal.  The more time you put into it, the more likely you are to master it.  The challenge with certification exams is that they are not a measure of pure skill.  Yes, you need to learn the technical skills or topics.  However, there is a way to state positions and ask questions that can make it difficult (or easy) to take a test.  Once you understand the style and temperament of a test, you will be more likely to understand the question and correct answers thoroughly.  Kaplan Training Site Release Notes Most Vendors or certifying organizations provide a syllabus or outline covering the expectations for a certification.  In short, this information is what you need to know to pass certifications.  Nevertheless, it is incredible how many people skip looking at this direct information about the content of a certification.  These sources provide you with precisely the areas you need to focus on for the certification or test.  While the above items (study guides, simulators) help in taking the test, this content enables you to master the topic.  That is, after all, the goal of taking a certification exam.  You will have a certificate that shows you have mastered the subject. Learn More: Certifications and Improving Your Value

We jump into a new season and a new topic.  This season will bounce around a bit as we tackle three things to know about a subject in each episode.  Our focus will be more technical than entrepreneurial as we look at how to get better.  However, we will cover a broad range of topics as we walk through this season. Get Better Actions Each episode will provide a list of three ways to get better related to the given topic.  This approach may feel like a clickbait season.  Nevertheless, each of these items is intended as a way to take action.  The goal is to provide quick and straightforward steps you can take to improve today or this week.  The typical suggestions that require a lot of time and effort to implement will be skipped. Review Your Site This episode includes some things you can do to be a little better.  The first suggestion for getting back on track is to update your personal/business site.  This step is not just a review of the content.  Review your technology stack and update it where applicable.  We all know that technology is continuously advancing.  Take advantage of this progress with your tech stack so you can provide the fastest, smallest, most user-friendly experience possible.  This goal may take several hours or days to complete.  At least work on building a plan to get these updates completed.  Update Your Resume Most people wait until they are looking for a new job to update their resume.  It is far easier to update it periodically.  This process can lead to a resume that has a more helpful format and one that is thorough.  Your journey to get better at a subject will be easier to validate.  It is particularly hard to remember what you did a few (or several) years ago when you are trying to provide specific content.  Those little projects you work on can easily be lost in the shuffle of big road maps.  However, those small tasks can also provide an essential experience that helps your resume pop. Try this out for some hints: https://careersidekick.com/how-to-improve-your-resume/ Review Your Roadmap We often leave roadmap planning and reviews to the end or beginning of the year.  That is ok, but why not check up on your progress so far?  You still have some time to make progress on those goals you set months ago and get better in your desired area.  That can mean the difference between a year-end review that is disappointing and one where you can see progress.  This task is also suitable for considering an adjustment to some of those goals in case your circumstances have changed. If you need to create a Roadmap, this may help: Creating and Pursuing Your Career Roadmap

One of the oldest methods of passive income is the use of vending machines.  They even found some example in the ancient Egypt pyramids (no, they did not).  These are perfect passive income devices. They are roughly a salesperson sitting at a specific location and working twenty-fours per day.  Better yet, advances have made these an even better option for those of us interested in generating passive income. Vending Machines Are Smarter Than Ever The whole concept of the Internet of Things is made to order for this area.  Think about it.  You can ping your machines via the Internet for all sorts of information including current inventory levels, whether a feed is jammed, and even the cash on hand.  This technology reduces your need for visiting a machine (or machines) and even can provide you incredibly detailed data.  You might even be able to get ahead of a rush on a certain product by looking at past data.  These features may add up to more cost, but maybe that is worth it in the end. Meeting a Need The ley to a successful vending business (or any other) is to be there when customers need you most.  Think about a situation where a large need intersects customers with a lot of cash.  This approach is why cigarette machines worked well in a bar.  People wanted a smoke and were already freely spending money.  That is event eh thinking behind the checkout aisle in your local grocery.  People are spending a lot of money so why not spend a little more and get themselves a treat? There are some challenges to this passive income approach.  You will have to maintain inventory, repair machines at times.  You might even need to do a late-night visit to a machine in order to fix a broken part or replace a popular item.  This can be a headache, but once you can get to a large number of machines you can possibly even corner a market.

In the world of passive income, what can be better than parties and networking as part of your efforts?  I know that some of us do not find a lot of pleasure in these types of events.  However, for those that do, this becomes a perfect match of work with joy.  You can start small and grow to substantial income and activities. Parties and Networking For Income We have all attended events that fall into this category.  They may include a school dance, a professional conference, or a group vacation.  Of course, some of these require a large amount of effort and time to get them set up.  That would remove the passive part of this particular income source.  Nevertheless, they can be automated and turned into a template that can lead to entirely passive income.  You can even hire out the most onerous work. Give Them a Why The key to throwing these events is to provide a "why" that resonates with the group.  You are creating a community of sorts, so start with the ideas that bind those members together.  This is the concept that drives the mastermind groups that are so popular and all the groups you can find on meetup.com. The challenge in creating these events is that the members could do the same thing themselves.  You want to find ways to make your events special (and desirable to attend) without having to put in too much effort.  This is one of those cases where a proper balance needs to be one of your goals.  That means fun-loving extroverts are far more likely to find success in these areas than a grumpy old introvert.  Nevertheless, even grumpy old introverts like to have a good time.  You need to be the one to provide that experience for your members.

We have touched on a large number of potential passive income opportunities.  However, there is an incredible number of lesser-known odd jobs as well.  These can include collectibles and ride-sharing, but that is not the focus of this episode.  We will spread out into further reaches, including transportation services and jobs that are roughly doing someone a favor (for a fee). Odd Jobs Are Everywhere (But Hard To Find) The most significant challenge with these jobs is finding them.  The best odd jobs typically are found via word-of-mouth or niche web sites.  These often require a level of trust between the employer and employee.  They also range from things like hand delivering items to house sitting or similar services.  The opportunities are limitless.  Thus, it helps if you start with an idea or two and then keep an eye out for those types of needs.  The good news is that once you have done one of these, it can often lead to others.  That word-of-mouth can be a powerful marketing tool. Back To Basics It will come as no surprise that the best areas for us to look for this kind of work are in our hobbies.  Even better, we can find some gems among our habits.  Think about the things you do the most, enjoy the most, or have the most experience with.  These are a good start for potential odd jobs.  We all know that the tasks some people hate are fun or straightforward for others.  This situation opens up the opportunity for you to take on someone else's pain without much effort on your own.  We can even find economies of scale. A classic example is the mother of a few children that runs a daycare.  She is going to take care of her children anyway.  Thus, adding a few more children to the mix is not a cost in time.  There might even be a benefit to her children in this situation.  There are more playmates, better social opportunities, and maybe even better educational discussions.  The more, the merrier is not just a phrase; it can be a path to some substantial passive income.  

While arts and crafts are not always a path to riches, they do often have some value beyond the material they are created from.  Thus, hobbies that fall into this category are excellent for passive income.  There are work and effort that go into these products.  However, when you enjoy the job, it might as well be considered passive. Arts And Crafts Come In Many Forms Many people think of things like painting and pottery when art is mentioned.  However, the Internet has made it easy for us to make money from many other forms.  These options include photography, music, and writing.  There are sites where people pay money to browse a wide range of these types of products and "purchase" the ones they like.  This process is not always a direct cash transaction for the artist.  Instead, there is typically some form of credits that can be purchased and the artist gets paid based on credits spent on their products. Art Is Its Own Reward While we may enjoy our best artwork, there is also a lot of it we can share.  This fact is even more valid in the world of digital products.  Products like digital photographs and videos can be shared out to numerous others for a price.  Better yet, we can still have an original to enjoy on our own. All of these options are excellent ones to pursue, and you can start by using the links below.  There are numerous other sites available; you just have to try a few searches to find them.  While these are good for earning some extra income, a word of caution, some artists have managed to lose control over their art. This situation can occur through complicated agreements and contracts.  Take a close look at any agreements you sign, and you might even get a legal resource to review them as well.  The last thing you want is to add stress to your life over your hobby. References and Sites Mentioned https://www.redbubble.com/ https://www.dreamstime.com/ https://www.istockphoto.com/ https://contributor.stock.adobe.com/?as_channel=stock&as_source=globalnav&as_campclass=brand&as_campaign=footer

When you think of passive income, the idea of ridesharing is not likely to occur to you.  However, there are ways to make this new opportunity work for you.  This concept will require some planning and flexibility.  Nevertheless, we can find ways to do this in a passive style rather than the side-hustle it is often viewed as. Ridesharing Can Be Time For Money The most common approach to the ridesharing services out there is as a side-hustle.  Someone signs up, sits in their car, and collects riders when they can.  This description is a simple model and a way to make some extra cash.  However, we can take advantage of our usual travel patterns to find ways to earn while we drive.  This option requires you to be a bit flexible when you want to travel.  If you do, then you can find regular riders to popular destinations and hopefully take advantage of that. Work and Play Your best route for picking up regular riders is going to be daily ones like work or other destinations.  These will often be popular enough to have a steady stream of drivers.  Of course, working at an airport would be a perfect solution.  Nevertheless, any populated area or frequent destination (sports venues, government buildings, shopping complexes, etc.) can work almost as well.  More people are using rideshare services every month, so why not take advantage of that trend? More Than Moving People Do not limit yourself to the idea of taxi service options.  There are food and other product delivery sites that generate similar traffic.  No pun intended.  These may be even better as a form of passive income.  It would not be surprising to find that certain people order from the same places on a regular (or even daily basis).  Think about things like picking up and dropping off several Starbucks coffees every morning, or office supplies to a nearby business.  All of these could be a perfect fit for you.  It just takes a little research and desire.  Happy hunting!  

No matter what physical product is created, there are bits left over.  Sometimes these are full, unused products.  In this episode, we look at using those to generate passive income from overages.  These items are often tossed in the trash, so why not see if they are sellable.  Rather than working harder, this approach will allow you to generate income from stuff you already have. Passive Income From Overages - Trash To Treasure There are many examples of these product opportunities.  One that may be very familiar is the idea of a proof copy of a book or artwork.  These are used for validating a product and are typically less than 100%.  However, they may still be perfect for the right customer.  Think about a run of tee shirts that is an "ugly" color.  You may not want those for your use or a primary customer.  Nevertheless, those products may be valuable to a slightly different customer base.  That is how the knock-off market works. Selling the End Product Some hobbies are all about the process and not the outcome.  Painting can fall into this category.  Likewise, things like jigsaw puzzles, glass blowing, pottery, scale models, and more can meet this need. You may even get a bonus of being to clear out a bunch of stuff from storage that has come from your favorite hobby or pastime.  This option is slightly different from a passive income from overages, but it is a way to generate revenue from "cleaning house. Building From Outcomes Many things we do generate cast asides or trash.  These leftovers can be used as material for other products or artwork.  Construction material is possibly the best example of this.  You can take the odd pieces left from cutting wood or demolition tasks or find a new use for things like bottle caps or wine corks.  Of course, more valuable material (think gold or copper) will have more intrinsic value as well.  Nevertheless, take a look at what you have laying around after enjoying your hobby.  You never know what new product idea may be waiting for you.  

The best ways to generate passive income is through subscription-based products.  These solutions are the gift that keeps on giving.  We have a sales cycle that is successful, and then we see the profit for months and years to come.  It is worth our time to dig a little deeper into this form of income and typical solutions in this category. The Best Subscription-Based Products While there are many ways to create a product that generates recurring revenue, some jump to the top of the list.  These may seem obvious.  However, it is good to keep these ideas in mind when you start down the path of a PI product.  These traits are the best ones for subscription-based products. Software-as-a-service (cloud-based solutions) Solutions that require regular data updates (contacts, regulations, laws, etc.) Solutions for platforms that are regularly upgraded A model where users are likely to use the product more as time goes on (data capturing, anything tied to business growth, etc.) Note that some of these will require regular updates on your part as well.  That is ok.  However, you want to make sure those updates are not too time-consuming.  They can flip a passive product into a full-time job if you do not watch out. Avoiding Multiple Sales The best part about recurring revenue products in my mind is the need to sell only once.  Your pitch for the product should address the recurring nature of the licensing.  That means that you will be able to automate the recurring billing or invoicing.  There should be a minimum of feedback and cancellations.  Of course, the best way to ensure this outcome is to build a product that is high in quality and does the job it was advertised to do. Keep in mind that customers do not always need more functionality to keep renewing a license.  A renewal reminds a user that they are paying for that product or service.  As long as it is solving a costly problem, then renewals will be a no-brainer.