Many 9-5ers dream of working from home. To set your own schedule, be your own boss, and occasionally go to work in your underwear. For those bold enough to dream of an office without cubicles, here's 10 great options for anyone in search of the perfect work from home job.
- Graphic Designer
Time was that to work in graphic design you needed a lot of equipment, huge rooms and tables for layouts and, in many cases, a darkroom to develop your prints. Technology has boiled it all down, essentially, into one or two ubiquitous pieces of software so that now the only thing standing between you and your own graphic design firm is your level of talent.
- Construction
This is an oldie but a goodie. Construction job sites these days are dominated by large companies with aggressive bids, but if you focus on a narrow niche market, you can run your own business and do quite well without stepping on the toes of the big guys. My friend, for example, started a company that specialized in small cement trucks, so if you don't need a whole truck full, no need to pay for a whole truck full, and business has been excellent for him.
- Insurance Sales
Insurance, or many other types of sales for that matter, represents a great way to work from home and make potentially a lot of money. It takes a very special skill set to be a successful salesman, but if you have what it takes, it can be a very lucrative career, and often your commissions with stack year-over-year giving you a substantial raise each year and a great incentive to continue improving your numbers.
- Real Estate
While you'll still spend a decent amount of time outside of the home (usually in other people's homes) many real estate brokerages don't require office hours. This can be a great job for a self-starter with a decent rolodex and you can spend the time you would be in the office making business contacts in the community.
- Childcare
Whether you start a daycare, or nanny for a family, childcare is a perennial need for nearly all dual-income families. Even if you have children of your own, you may find it relatively easy to take on one or two more children in a nannying position and bring in a substantial amount of income, while planning the same activities you normally would for your own little ones.
- Writer/Editor
This one has a soft spot in my heart as it's what i do when i work from home. Writing and editing is a skill that nearly every business needs, and even if it's not posted as a work from home position, a litter negotiating may convince them all you really need is a laptop, an internet connection and some strong coffee.
- Multi Level Marketing
There are good and bad examples of this category of businesses, so ask a trusted friend who's had a good experience before diving in here. There a plenty of good multi level marketing companies that, once you've established yourself, can generate quite a bit of residual income from those on the levels below you as well as the ongoing income from your recurring sales.
- Event Planner
Since every event is different, there's no reason to have a specific place you need to be to plan them. The hardest part will be getting up and running and establishing your reputation (consider working in partnership with an established company to get your feet wet and expand your rolodex) but once your off and running, this is a great home based business for anyone who loves a good party.
- Business Coaching
Real world business coaching is much more than a motivational speaker with some audio books and a bleached smile, business coaching is a serious business that businesses will pay top dollar for. The reason is that many successful business coaches will not only have great ideas on how to help structure the business and get them moving in the right direction, but they will often focus on helping cut the bottom line and get the company more profitable, often more than paying for their services with the savings they create.
- Freelance…anything
If you've got a marketable skill and you're a good self starter, don't wait for someone to give you permission to work from home and run your own business.
Working from home is still work, but for many it can really soften the blow and break up the monotony of cubicle life. Be sure to do your research before diving into any new business, and also take the time to talk to some of your friends who work from home and make sure it'll be a good fit for you.
Mon, 04/2/2012 - 01:56 AM | viewed 420 times
In February, 2012, Facebook held its 'fMC Conference' which introduced upcoming features and changes to the site, including Timeline for Pages. All of these changes impact the way an entrepreneur or smb can best utilize their Facebook presence to increase traffic, interact with fans, and ultimately, convert these fans into customers. Here we'll take a closer look at the changes to Facebook, how you can use the new features to your advantage as part of your business plan, and some helpful tips on creating a successful Facebook promotion.
Sat, 03/10/2012 - 05:35 PM | viewed 490 times
In the initial stages of a business startup, most entrepreneurs recognize that they'll need the expertise of an accountant at various times, but few realize that they'll no doubt need the help of another professional, an attorney. Their logic would be that they don't plan on breaking the law or getting sued, so legal services aren't necessary. The truth is quite the contrary, however.
Sun, 03/4/2012 - 01:54 PM | viewed 529 times
Now that you've developed a great startup concept, and you're in the business plan development stage, the time has arrived to come up with the right name for your new endeavor. There are a number of differing theories on what makes a great business name, but one thing is certain, choosing the right name can play a big part in how your business is perceived by your customers, and it can make or break your image.
Sat, 03/3/2012 - 12:55 PM | viewed 409 times
On average, roughly 600,000 Americans start new businesses each year. If you're one of the millions more contemplating taking that giant step into business ownership, don't let fear of the unknown stop you. Some of the stumbling blocks for would-be entrepreneurs include indecision about the right kind of business, a fear of putting their money and time into a business that fails, or they may simply have no idea where to start. Generating an idea for a small business isn't always easy, but with some good advice and common sense, you can learn how to choose a viable concept.
Thu, 03/1/2012 - 12:16 PM | viewed 616 times
If you're a small business owner or an entrepreneur involved in your first startup, you're well aware of the impact that successful Facebook marketing can have on your bottom line. Finding your way through the maze of available apps and tools is time-consuming, tedious work. If you're on the hunt for the latest and greatest ways to reach a larger audience and build your business, check out our recommended Facebook tools and apps that are specifically geared toward taking full advantage of your fan page.
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