 |
|
|
|||||
Cloud storage services conveniently let you store and access documents, photos, videos, and more from any device. The best part? Many top providers offer free plans that are surprisingly capable. But with so many options, how do you choose the right free cloud storage service? Let’s take a look at some of the leading free online storage services available today. Google Drive Google Drive offers 15 GB of storage, shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Thats one of the most generous free storage amounts, and the service offers seamless integration with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides). Its also got a user-friendly interface and solid search capabilities. The 15 GB is shared with other Google services, however, so heavy Gmail users or those backing up high-quality photos might find it fills up quickly. And Google being a large tech company, some users have privacy concerns regarding data handling. Mega At 20 GB, Mega provides the most generous permanent free storage tier among major providers. Theres a strong focus on privacy and security with user-controlled end-to-end, zero-knowledge encryption on all plans, including the free one. The company cant see your files, in other words. However, free accounts have transfer limits (you can download or upload a certain amount of data over a set period), and its unique encryption means if you lose your password or recovery key, your data is unrecoverable. pCloud pCloud gives you up to 10 GB of storage space, which is a decent amount of free space. It also features excellent built-in media players for streaming audio and video directly from the cloud. And it offers unique “Lifetime” paid plans, starting at a one-time $199 payment for 500 GB of storage. However, to reach 10 GB on the free plan, youll need to perform certain actions like verifying your email address and installing mobile apps. Encryption and sharing options are also limited on the free tier. Microsoft OneDrive Although Microsoft OneDrive offers only 5 GB of storage on the free plan, its got excellent integration with Windows and Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Files can often be accessed directly from Windows File Explorer and theres a “Personal Vault” folder for extra security on sensitive files. 5 GB of free storage might not be enough for all your stuff, however, and there can be similar privacy considerations as Google Drive for some users. Apple iCloud Drive Like Microsoft, Apple iCloud Drive offers a meager 5 GB of storage. This storage is shared across iCloud Drive, device backups, Photos, and Mail. That being said, its got unbeatable integration with Apple devices, making it essential for backing up iOS devices and syncing photos across the Apple ecosystem. Those five gigabytes get consumed quickly by device backups and photos, though. Paid plans start at just a buck a month for 50 GB, making it kind of a no-brainer. Dropbox At a lowly 2 GB, Dropbox offers the least amount of free storage of the providers on our list here. It is, however, a pioneer in cloud storage, known for its reliable and fast file syncing, simple user interface, excellent compatibility across platforms, and good third-party app integrations. Sync.com Sync.com offers 5 GB of free storage and boasts excellent security and privacy features, including end-to-end zero-knowledge encryption and compliance with features. Theres also 30-day file versioning and recovery, no file size limits when using desktop or mobile apps, and you can earn more free space through referrals. However, there are limited sharing capabilities on the free plan (number of links and daily downloads per link), and it lacks built-in document editing tools, instead relying on Office 365 integration.
Category:
E-Commerce
Its inevitable that youll experience a slow period as a freelancer. No matter how long you’ve been at it, youll be faced with lulls from time to time where opportunities are coming in less frequently or not at all. Sometimes its not about you: Certain types of projects are impacted by seasonality, budget cycles, and economic conditions. But other times, you could be the reason the engagements are starting to taper off, whether youve not staying up to date in your field or the competition is outpacing you. To get out of these slumps, and prevent them from happening often, be intentional about what youre doing during these slow stretches. Reframe your mindset Ive experienced dips in work at numerous points throughout the 12 years Ive been freelancing. When it would happen initially, Id feel frustrated, embarrassed, nervous, and disengaged when a slow period started to happen beyond a week into a month. Through a mix of strategic maneuvering from me and new opportunities arising from long-term investments in marketing myself and building relationships, these periods didnt last long. Its more than okay to experience all the feelings during these freelance slumps, but try not to spend too much time being distraught and instead take action based on whats in your control. As Barbara Corcoran famously said, The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves. When things begin to slow down, acknowledge what youre feeling but recognize its an opportunity to reset and take action. Prioritize continuous progress To move past these moments, I usually focus on making continuous progress on meaningful tasks for my business since I have more time to do soand it feels good. Im not alone in this: Professionals have reported more positive emotions on workdays where they made progress on meaningful work, and most often its small wins, according to a survey of 238 professionals by HBR authors Teresa M. Amabile and Steven J. Kramer. For me, this might include small tasks like updating my website, reconnecting with a colleague, writing an article, taking a course, or whatever feels genuinely productive. Youre not just aiming to be busy but looking for work that helps generate momentum, improves upon your skill sets, attracts more projects, or simply provides creative fulfillment. Ive found that this forward momentum helps me move past that stuck feeling and keeps me motivated to forge ahead. I recommend identifying up to five tasks youll work on everyday and aim for small ones that are possible to achieve in as little as a few hours or a couple of days. The hope is that the continued progress becomes ingrained as a lasting habit. Expand your freelance offerings and income sources In the midst of a dip, it might be time to reassess how youre reaching new customers and whether theres an opportunity to increase your visibility in a sustainable way. This could entail building a presence on another destination to reach your ideal like creating a Substack, being a guest on industry podcasts, or speaking at conferences. Similarly, you might expand your platform as a freelancer to reach a different, complementary customer base with a service you may not have offered previously. During slow periods in my business, I try my best to treat it as a strategic opportunity to reflect and iterate, says, Gigi Robinson, a New York City-based creator, speaker, and author. Instead of spiraling or stressing about the lull, I dive into my analyticswhats working, whats underperforming, and how my audience is responding across platforms. I revisit my goals, experiment with new formats, and map out long-term ideas that dont rely on external brand campaigns or speaking invites. For example, in 2023, she experienced a slowdown in inbound brand deals and speaking gigs. Rather than panic, I leaned into building something biggerand thats when I conceptualized Host of Influence, my new educational platform for creators, whether youre a newbie or a creator veteran, says Robinson. Its proof that sometimes the most impactful ideas are born when things get quiet. You just have to give yourself the space to listen and come up with a strategic game plan. Chart a similar path for yourself by assessing where theres opportunity to market your services differently and provide new offerings that meet customer demands. Network with other freelancers Youre not the only professional to experience a period of stagnation. One of the most impactful things you can do at this point is reach out for help. Thats why it’s important that you use this time to connect with other freelancers to share how youre handling it and hear how theyve dealt with similar circumstances. Both parties can learn from each other about how to overcome these challenges, brainstorm new opportunities, and provide a fresh perspective on their career trajectory. You can find other professionals on freelancer marketplaces like MarketerHire and Behance, focused networking groups like ones for independent contractors in HR or engineering, and on Reddit, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Whats worked for me is building relationships with colleagues that are ahead of me in their career or Id like to emulate aspects of what theyve accomplished professionally. Through their support, Ive been able to better anticipate some of the common challenges as a freelancer and get inspiration from how they’ve navigated their career over the years. The same can be said for fostering connections with new freelancers in their early days of self-employment as I have a lot of advice and support to offer them. Plus, these peers often give me exposure to a new viewpoint on the world of self-employment, helping me stay modern, adaptable, and motivated. Pitch yourself The loss of income is the scariest when youre in a work slump, and it could have a substantial impact on your day-to-day. One upside of not earning the income you expected is that it can be extremely motivating and drive you to put yourself out there in ways you hadnt anticipated. “During a slow period, I reach out to past clients, prospects, collaborators, and peers with one question: Whats keeping you up at night right now? Their answers help me spot patterns and spark ideas I can quickly testwhether its a new workshop, course, or consulting offer, says, Hussain Bandukwala, a PMO and project management consultant, trainer, coach, and LinkedIn Learning Instructor. I also experiment with different outreach strategies, from lead magnets to paid ads, adds Bandukwala. Its not filler workits targeted R&D to evolve and optimize the business. Dont become overly reliant on the right people and clients finding you, as attention youre generating for yourself professionally will ebb and flow due to a variety of factors. As an alternative, pitch yourself directly to existing clients who you already have a rapport with and to new organizationsand individuals as a chance to introduce yourself. Sometimes, the right nudge can make all the differenceyou never know who could benefit from your contributions, as long as your outreach is aligned to their needs.
Category:
E-Commerce
Legos new building kit will turn your wall into an ode to 80s graffiti art. The latest in Legos art-inspired sets is a customizable brick-built version of Keith Harings dancing figures, an instantly recognizable motif of five breakdancing stick figures articulated in Harings iconic pop art style. The kit comes with 1,773 pieces, can be mounted on stands or affixed to a wall, and stands at just over a foot tall. It retails for $119.99 and is set to hit Legos website and land in stores on May 15. In recent months, Lego has been working to build out a more extensive catalog of eye candy kits aimed at adults, ranging from a Lego-based version of Leonadro da Vincis Mona Lisa to a detailed re-creation of Vincent van Goghs Sunflowers and even a modern version of Art Hokusais 1831 woodblock print The Great Wave. The Dancing Figures kit is one of Legos first forays into a more contemporary artists work, and its also the companys first art kit thats specifically designed to be configured by a group. [Photo: LEGO] Designing dancing figures for Lego The Dancing Figures kit might be one of the most modern motifs to join Legos art repertoire, but somehow the characters new life as a Lego set feels inevitable. Thats probably because since Harings death in 1990, his art has appeared on everything from chess sets to Dr. Martens and inflatable home decor. During the height of his career in 1980s New York City, Harings greatest love was street art and graffiti, and he famously preferred to make art that would be viewable by the masses rather than tucked inside a gallery. He also arguably spearheaded the commodification of his own work through a merch outlet called Harings Pop Shop, which sold buttons, stickers, and posters for ultra-low prices. At the time, he faced a healthy dose of backlash from the fine art world for reproducing his own art commercially. Since then, though, his work has become so ubiquitous that echoes of it persist in fashion design, graffiti, and the same gallery spaces that once criticized him. [Photo: LEGO] Milan Madge, master model designer at Lego, led the design of the new Dancing Figures kit. Madge says his team worked in collaboration with the Keith Haring Foundation to bring the motif to life, including by accessing archival materials held by the foundation to stay true to his unique style. Getting to choose Keith Harings Dancing Figures was a wonderful choice to have, Madge says. The original piece perfectly captures the spirit of joy, motion, and connection that defines much of his work. The energetic, rhythmic forms express a sense of celebration and unity, radiating a vibrant, lively energy. Using Lego bricks as a medium was also a great fit, and it presented a fun challenge to see if we could replicate the fine lines of the original artwork within the Lego brick format. [Photo: LEGO] In many ways, the colorful, playful style of both Haring and Lego made this the ideal collaboration. Still, meshing the two presented some design quandariesnamely, how to capture the dynamic movement of Harings oft-depicted dancing figures in a kit that follows a precise structure and relies on a selection of base shapes. Ultimately, the Lego team decided to lean into the hidden geometry that underpins the Lego brick. The big leap we took was removing the background from the characters and making them freestanding sculptures. That really unlocked the potential of the Lego system in terms of geometry, Madge says. In order to capture the dynamism of Harings work, we started angling parts of the model, a figures arm or leg, or in the case of the blue breakdancing figure, their entire lower body. The angles allowed us to both capture the forms of Keith Harings dancing figures and, importantly, the consistent bold black line which was a staple of his style. [Photo: LEGO] Adult book clubs and crafting circles, rejoice! The actual format of Legos Dancing Figures kit is also meant as an homage to Harings style. Whereas most Lego art sets are sequential and require every step to be performed in a specific order, the lively characters in this set stand on their own and come with five individual instruction booklets, meaning it’s easy to complete the set in a group without squabbling over a shared manual. Each figure can be arranged in different ways, fostering creativity and individual expression, much like street art, Madge says. This approach gives people more options for showcasing their art, almost like graffiti. Based on Legos product shots for the kit, its pretty clear who the company is marketing this set to: twentysomethings and thirtysomethings with plenty of Lego nostalgia, a bit of their own cash to burn, and an eclectic apartment to decorate.
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||