Saturday, February 2, 2008

work-from-home ideas

Are you thinking of working from home, but you just can't think of that "perfect fit?" Don't be discouraged. You are not alone. (I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.) This is tough for everyone, but it is not impossible.

You will find the right business. Just do your research and brainstorm. Get a piece of paper and make notes of your different ideas. Write down areas in which you excel or have a little more knowledge about than most people. Then write down your strengths and weakness in those areas. After you narrow it down a little, write down the different possibilities for each different idea.

If all else fails, ask friends and family which areas they think you excel. Below are a few ideas that I like. Hopefully, they will inspire you.

1) Consultant.
If you found an area in which you are more knowledgeable than most, maybe you can share that knowledge with others. You can be a consultant in that area. You can offer private consultations with businesses/individuals. You can hold seminars or offer training. You may even want to hold your seminars over the Internet.Webinars are becoming increasingly popular.

2)Party Planner.
Party planning is a growing field. A lot of people don't have the time that is necessary to throw that perfect party. Besides, sometimes it is a big hassle, and people would rather have someone else deal with it anyway. You could also consider selling products that your clients might be able to use for their parties. It is a great way to save time and money for your client, while making a little extra money for yourself.

3) Wedding Planner
Weddings are a very important part of people's lives. Therfore, they are willing to spend as much money as possible. If you think you have the knowledge or the ability to learn about wedding planning, you may want to give it a try. Start out by offering your services to friends (at cost or for a small profit) in order to start building your portfolio. Talk with other wedding professionals (florists, photographers, etc) about possibly cross-promoting with them. Again, you may even want to sell some of the products that your clients may need or want. This could save a lot of hassle and make you a little more money. You ight even want to go that direction alone and sell or rent wedding accessories.

4) Private Investigator
Private investigators are used now more than ever in several areas. A few of them are as follows: insurance fraud, domestic situations (cheating spouses), accident reconstruction, background checks, people locates, and much much more. It is not an easy job. I would not go into it without a little training first, but it can be a profitable business if you do things the right way. I would reccomend that you first work for another company for a little while until you learn the business.

5) Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants are becoming really popular. Afterall, it is the age of the Internet. Almost everything can be done from a remote location. There are people out there who may not be able to afford or do not need a full time assistant, or they may need an expert for certain temporary projects. That is where a virtual assistant may be utilized. A few of the services that you could offer (depending on your skills) include the following: report writing, invoicing, web design, bookkeeping, project managing, and basic secretarial services.

Remember during your business search, do your research. Consider your budget, and don't underestimate your knowledge and skills. The right business is out there for you. Be patient and you will find it.