16 Home-Based Money Making Ideas
Small business or work from home moms or dads who are enterprising and have dreamed of being self-made can set-up their own business from home. Here are some home-based opportunities to consider:
1. Bookkeeping
You would have gained considerable experience to run this type of business in order to be qualified. Otherwise, a course does not take very long at your local business college or by correspondence. There are plenty of small businesses who can’t afford a full-time book-keeper, so you can pick up work from your neighborhood enterprises such as the car repair shop, news agent, grocer, and so on. A computer will be handy where you can install a popular accounting package to store all the necessary information for you and your clients. It can provide relevant data for the accountant or tax adviser for taxation purpose.
2. Calligraphy Service
If you already know how to do calligraphy, there’s a market for your talent among those needing special invitations, certificates, personalized greeting cards, diplomas, etc. Your investment will be for the special pens necessary to do the work. A number of library books can teach you this age-old art if you want to know more. Some local colleges also teach courses in calligraphy.
3. Casual Staff Agency
You can start a high-income business with low overheads by setting up an agency that supplies casual staff of all kinds to local businesses. You need to have a contract or hired people who can take on short-term jobs, such as secretaries and domestic staff, at short notice. Employers pay you a rate above what you pay their workers, which gives you your profit in exchange for managing the business. Contact your local licensing authority to check before starting up to operate this business.
4. Computer Consulting
This provides consulting and training services mainly analyzing the computer needs of businesses and advising them about purchases of both hardware and software focusing on the needs of your client. Direct mailing to small businesses is an excellent way to generate clients.
5. Computer Repair
You can repair most personal computers in a home-based workshop, without the need for very sophisticated or expensive tools, because in most cases you simply replace, rather than actually repair faulty components. Community colleges or corresponding schools offer training programs that qualify you and let you keep up to date with the latest technology. You can offer service contracts t o local businesses.
6. Computer Training
You can set up training courses in various aspects of computers, for example, learning specific programs. Check with local authorities to see if there are ordinances limiting the number of students you can accommodate at one point. Then you have to consider how many computers you will need for each hands-on experience. Advertising in your local newspaper is one way of getting clients. You can also offer a discount if your customers enroll a certain number of pupils.
7. Consulting
A freelance consultant can make money as there are businesses around. Whatever your skills or interests, chances are you can use them to set up your own business as a consultant. They key to success is offering specialized knowledge that clients are prepared to pay for, something that will help improve their business and their income. Consulting areas include: Advertising, Business Management, Data Management, Direct Marketing, Graphic Arts, Interior Design, Internet Marketing, Office and Home Organizations, and Publicity. The list is endless.
8. Craftwork
There is a market for every kind of craftwork, from hand knitted rugs, knickknacks, furniture and lamps, to dolls and toy – anything you can make at home and sell through art fairs, gift shops, local markets, and in direct sales from your home-based gallery. One of the best ways to market your work is to join forces with other craft persons to form a crafts cooperative. Co-ops can then provide services to members and put together a package deal including your offered products.
9. Desktop Publishing and/or Typesetting
Anyone who has the interest and has the ability to typeset magazines, books, reports, newsletters and newspapers in a small office at home, can setup his/her own desktop publishing and/or typesetting services. There are many desktop publishing and typography courses available. Inquire about the going rate for such services so as to be competitive. There are businesses and individuals who need typesetting or brochures and newsletters. Advertise through instant print shops or contact local businesses, your social contacts, perhaps direct mail houses.
10. Market Research
Organizations, companies, and even entrepreneurs want to know what people think of products, be it their own or not, and would like to measure attitudes towards certain products before launching them. There are many market research courses available at colleges and by correspondence. Once you have the necessary skill, you can conduct surveys for companies, by telephone or by calling personally on potential clients. When all the data has been collected you evaluate the findings for the company and present a report.
11. Newsletter Publishing
Some people are willing to pay to share that specialized knowledge with them. Newsletter publishing is one of the few home-based businesses that have made some publishers become millionaires. You must know a lot about the subject to be able to offer a distinct benefit to your subscribers. You can produce the newsletter using a word processor or desktop publishing program on a personal computer. Have it printed by an offset ‘instant print” shop. If your run is small, you can produce your newsletter on a photocopier. There are numerous newsletters published on everything from stock market tips and investment advice to beauty and health tips, personal development, and more.
12. Photography
If you are good at photography, you can set up a home-based business doing everything from advertising shots for local businesses to passport photos, portraits and weddings. Your biggest market may be in taking candid shots of families. Attend a professional photography course to teach you the finer points of the art, including the business aspects. One specialist area which has been gaining popularity is video-taping weddings and other special occasions. A good quality video camera and completing a suitable course are all you need to get started.
13. Researcher
Many organizations and individuals are in need of hard-to-find answers to questions. You can make it your business to do that for them. You can offer research service covering specialist areas or take on work in general areas if you can. As you progress, you can sub-hire other part-time researchers, including teachers and academics, to handle research in their specialist areas. You find your clients by advertising in newspapers and magazines, as well as specialist journals that cover the research areas you are equipped to handle.
14. Teaching and/or Tutoring
When you have decided what your expertise and knowledge to impart, there are all kinds of lessons you can give, for example, in the areas of art, music, crafts, cooking and academic subjects, even teaching foreign students English or English-speaking persons a foreign language. To find out how much to charge, check advertisement for similar teaching sessions. Advertise in schools, in your local newspaper and your community notice board.
15. Telemarketing
With a telephone line you can get into a home-based business with a telemarketing operation. In particular, mail-order companies need to tell clients about their products and should find telemarketing an excellent sales producer. You promote the products then take orders. You can expand the business by taking phone orders form customers for companies from customers for companies who advertise mail-order sales.
16. Translating
If you know another language really well or can employ people who do on a contract basis, then you can operate a translation bureau. Companies and individuals pay well to have documents translated, but you must be able to offer absolute accuracy: a translation mistake in a legal document could cost your client a small fortune. Advertise through direct mail to companies and in newspapers and specialist publications.