Seeking Bitcoin Business Advice: Illustrator and Designer wants to accept BTC

[vervex]

Hello! I'm an illustrator and graphic designer looking to expand my business by accepting bitcoin payments. I've heard a lot about it but I'm not sure where to start.

What are the best services I can use as a creative consultant and freelancer to accept and most safely manage bitcoins? Once I get paid and accumulate a sum, as needed, is it possible exchange easily the money to another currency? What sort of fees should I expect? What are the benefits of keeping your bitcoins in bitcoins rather than exchange them in USD or CAD? Also, what mainstream services accept bitcoins?

Thanks a lot for your help and time! I'm really looking forward to getting into bitcoin

P.S. If you want to see the type of services I offer, you can access it at http://vervex.ca
(I'm not sure if it's of any help in answering the questions above, but who knows!)

[cakir]

Hello! I'm an illustrator and graphic designer looking to expand my business by accepting bitcoin payments. I've heard a lot about it but I'm not sure where to start.
Just download a wallet from bitcoin.org (Since you're a newbie you can use Electrum.
What are the best services I can use as a creative consultant and freelancer to accept and most safely manage bitcoins?
Most safe option is keeping them by yourself but you may use online wallets but don't use them, they can be hacked (which happened before).
Once I get paid and accumulate a sum, as needed, is it possible exchange easily the money to another currency?
Yes it's quite easy but some of the exchanges have up limits, so you may require to give personal details (id etc).
What sort of fees should I expect?
You don't pay any fee during dealing with bitcoins, But when you try to get fiat (USD,CAD etc) then you'll be charged by exchange. Also you may need to pay tax in your country.
What are the benefits of keeping your bitcoins in bitcoins rather than exchange them in USD or CAD?
Bitcoin's price may skyrocket or drops; no one can guess what's it gonna be, so I suggest you to sell some of your bitcoins to cover your expenses and save the rest for the future in bitcoins.
Also, what mainstream services accept bitcoins?
What kinda service you look for? You can shop on amazon etc via buying giftcards with bitcoins. You can ask for your needs to pay in bitcoins.

Thanks a lot for your help and time! I'm really looking forward to getting into bitcoin

P.S. If you want to see the type of services I offer, you can access it at http://vervex.ca
(I'm not sure if it's of any help in answering the questions above, but who knows!)

Using bitcoins will provide you extra freelance jobs intercontinental. For instance a guy from china might give you a job and pays you in bitcoins (It's cheapest option to send money between continents).

[vervex]

Thanks you for the quick reply cakir!

I have a few more questions if you don't mind:

• I heard that bitcoin stored on a computer can get hacked. How common is it, and is it a big risk?
• How easy is it to transfer bitcoin from one hard drive to another? What happens if there's hard drive failure; you lose everything? Can they be stored on a USB key as well for instance?
• I was recommended Bitpay on a reddit thread - what do you think of this service?

Thanks for the tips, I hadn't considered Amazon gift cards, it's a great idea! Same for doing international business in bitcoins

[cakir]

Thanks you for the quick reply cakir!

I have a few more questions if you don't mind:

• I heard that bitcoin stored on a computer can get hacked. How common is it, and is it a big risk?
• How easy is it to transfer bitcoin from one hard drive to another? What happens if there's hard drive failure; you lose everything? Can they be stored on a USB key as well for instance?
• I was recommended Bitpay on a reddit thread - what do you think of this service?

Thanks for the tips, I hadn't considered Amazon gift cards, it's a great idea! Same for doing international business in bitcoins

- Yes computers can get hacked but you can defend yourself with antivirus softwares etc. Yes it's a big risk.
- It's quite easy actually. Just copy your "wallet file" to any disk (cd, usb etc) (ps: don't use online storages, there's a chance to be stolen). Hard drive failures are such a big mess but if you store your wallet file then you can easily recover your funds. (There're some other methods like paper wallet etc, They're next step for you).
If you don't back up your wallet and your HDD fails then yes you loose everything.

-Bitpay is an option if you don't want to deal with bitcoins directly. They're giving fiat money AFAIK.

Not only amazon but also e-bay, starbucks etc gift cards can be purchased with bitcoins check here: https://www.gyft.com/buy-gift-cards/