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7. HOME OFFICE TECHNOLOGY
Millions of people work from home performing income-generating tasks and need the right technology to do this. To save time and money, many home workers prefer to buy office and personal technology online. You could launch a web site selling software and equipment for specific industries or professions, or sell quality used equipment on online auction or classified sites.
Success Tips: A background in electronics and technology is necessary to recommend the best new or used equipment for your clients’ needs. You could also offer to set up their home offices with the right equipment and mobile technology for traveling.
Resources: PC Magazine ( www.pcmag.com) — print publication covering the latest technology.
8. OUTDOORS HOBBYISTS’ & SPORTS PARTICIPANTS’ USED ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT
Many people have good used sports and hobby equipment they no longer need. If you are knowledgeable in sports like cycling or skiing or with hobbies such as tying fishing flies or photography, consider selling related used equipment at online auctions, on free classified sites, or as a sideline to your existing web site; or launch a site just for that purpose.
Success Tips: Know the resale value of certain items as far as their condition and the demand for them when selling used items either directly to buyers or on consignment. Well-written ads with detailed specifications and photos are needed for successful sales. Market your site at trade shows, competitions, and by listing your web site on all your correspondence.
Resources: The Business Guide to Selling Through Internet Auctions: A Proven Seven-Step Plan for Selling to Consumers and Other Businesses by Nancy L. Hix, Patrick M. Byrne.
9. RECRUITER, INTERNET TECHNOLOGISTS
Computer-based companies continually search for qualified Internet technologists, and many small business owners want to subcontract with independents to meet their technology needs as their companies change or grow. As a recruiter specialist in this industry, you can refer top applicants and/or independent professionals that fit your clients’ criteria.
Success Tips: Search for skilled technologists through online job ads, canvassing technology colleges and universities, at job fairs, and through referral networks in your industry. Use your web site to recruit qualified job candidates and obtain new clients from all over the world.
10. RESUMES, ONLINE
No matter what the status of the current job market, well-written résumés will get
job-seekers more responses than those written solely from templates. Quality professional résumé writers provide clients with attention-grabbing cover letters and well-written résumés that convince employers the value of hiring them. Many résumé professionals also post their clients’ résumés to specific online job sites that match clients’ skills, and offer interview coaching and additional services.
Success Tips: You should have the marketing and sales skills to help you write well-organized résumés with compelling content to highlight your clients’ best assets. Make use of in-person meetings or telephone conversations to better analyze clients’ skills and job goals.
Resources: Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches ( www.parw.com) — courses, seminars, certification. The Overnight Resume by Donald Asher. www.resumebiz.com — resume and Internet-related articles and e-book, How to Start a Home- or Office-Based Resume Business.
11. SECURITY, ONLINE SPECIALIST
Hackers continually invent new viruses to disrupt many web sites’ operations. You will need the training and expertise to advise your clients on the best software and technology to protect their files or to restore them should they become infected.
Success Tips: To introduce your services, offer to perform a brief security analysis to small or new companies. Conduct presentations and workshops at business conferences to meet potential customers. Post informative articles on your web site, and send out regular e-zine security alerts and tips to existing customers and to new visitors who sign up.
Resources: Hacking Exposed: Network Security Secrets and Solutions, 3rd ed. by Joel Scambray, Stuart McClure, George Kurtz. Internet & Intranet Security by Rolf Oppliger.
12. SPECIAL-INTEREST BASED SITES
If there is a movement, cause, or subject you feel strongly about or wish to promote or provide a different viewpoint, you can join the thousands of others who have built web sites to build support and supply information for these purposes. Finance your site with advertising, paid subscriptions, memberships, affiliate programs, or by selling related items.
Success Tips: Research to see what similar sites exist and how yours will stand out. Encourage return visits to your site by providing opportunities for input with message boards and discussion forums; and by offering current news, articles, and resources. Market your site with listings in specialized directories and on major search engines.
Resources: Membership Websites — Tips, Techniques and Secrets — An Insider's Guide to Publishing by the Editors of the Subscription Website Publishers Association.
13. TRAVEL AGENCY, SPECIALTY
While people are paying more online for travel, competition is fierce among major sites offering travel bargains. However, travel entrepreneurs who offer travel packages tailored to people’s special needs or requests like those who have disabilities or those who want to travel with pets are more likely to discover lucrative travel niches.
Success Tips: You need training and experience in the travel and tourist industry to build up contacts and resources for potential clients. Use financial and business experts to assist you in writing a travel business plan. Stay current with ongoing trends in the industry and technology to offer your clients the best services and to stay competitive.
Resources: Special Interest Tourism by Norman Douglas, Ngaire Douglas, Ros Derrett. Start Your Own Specialty Travel & Tour Business by Entrepreneur Press. www.homebasedtravelagent.com — publications and resources.
14. WEB DESIGN CONSULTANT
Many entrepreneurs, professionals, and small business owners who do not have a web site, know it pays to have one, but are unsure of what kind they need and whom to hire. Web site consultants specialize in helping small business owners or those in their profession or industry find web designers and marketers who meet their needs and budgets; or guide clients through the mechanics of building their own site.
Success Tips: You need a combination of web design and marketing skills to advise clients how a web site can best help them promote or start a profitable Internet venture. Market your services with your own web site, articles, and presentations at business meetings and conferences and through clients’ referrals.
Resources: How to Start a Home-Based Web Design Business, 3rd ed. by Jim Smith. The HTML Writers Guild ( www.hwg.org) — web design training and certification.
15. WEB MARKETING STRATEGIST
Small business owners who have launched their web sites seldom have time to adequately market them. Web marketing strategists can determine which are the most economical and best promotional and strategic marketing methods to attract a steady stream of visitors to their clients’ sites.
Success Tips: Promote your services within your business networks with talks and workshops, focusing on self-employed individuals and owners of virtual enterprises. Post testimonials of satisfied clients on your web site along with helpful marketing articles and e-books to attract potential clients. Offer your satisfied customers rewards for referrals.
Resources: Online Marketing Success Stories: Insider Secrets, from the Experts Who Are Making Millions on the Internet Today by Rene V. Richards. Web Digest for Marketers ( www.wdfm.com) – free weekly e-newsletter.
16. WEB SITE EDITIING
Business owners or organizations lose credibility if potential customers and users find grammar or spelling errors on their web sites; or are unable to comprehend what is posted. As a web site editor, you can offer to proofread and polish online copy, articles, blogs, and other written materials for entrepreneurs and authors.
Success Tips: Having the credentials and experience in English grammar (or in the language that you are editing) will help establish your expertise. Market your services to members of local business owners’ organizations, web site designers, and especially to web site owners that are in industries (e.g., medical, technology, and education) with whose terminology you are familiar.
Resources: McGraw-Hill's Proofreading Handbook by Laura Killen Anderson.
The Internet offers entrepreneurs endless possibilities to explore and succeed in
e-commerce with the potential to reach a worldwide market. Why not you? HBM
Previously published in the Junel 2007 issue of HOME BUSINESS® Magazine, an international publication for the growing and dynamic home-based market. Available on newsstands, in bookstores and chain stores, and via subscriptions ($15.00 for 1 year, six issues). Visit www.homebusinessmag.com
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