In previous article posts we have talked about working from home, how to be successful in doing so and different jobs that can be done from home. However, what if we went down a slightly different “At Home” job path and instead of just working from home you set out to create a home based business? While the two do have similar qualities they are also very different. When working from home you are still working for another company or person. When you start a home based business you are not only working for YOURSELF, you are also creating your own business, which is very exciting in itself! While most home based business can be kept running from the confines of your own home there are MANY successful businesses that started out as home based and eventually grow into a full fledged business that requires additional office space. So how do you go about starting your own home based business and grow it to succeed into a well oiled machine that grows into something larger and even more successful???
Going into creating a home based business the number one thing to ask yourself is, “will my business work from home”? Meaning if you wanted to start a business that required you to meet with an abundance of clients would you feel comfortable or want to give that many strangers your home address? Is your business practical to run from your home and will you know when it’s time to move your growing business to an actual storefront or office space? Rick, owns a hot tub maintenance business is Fort Collins, Colorado. As of now he has two physical business locations that can be visited by his consumers but it wasn’t always that way. He in fact started his hot tub business from home and overtime became more and more successful which lead him to opening his two stores. What are some words of wisdom or advice that Rick has to offer others just starting out to ensure that your business is successful too?
Permits, Licenses, Structure- When starting a business from home you want to go at it as you would any “real” business. Meaning you want to have the right permits, licenses etc. in place when beginning. Some neighborhoods/HOA prohibit home based businesses. Starting out above board and with all of your cards(permits/licenses) on the table will ensure that you are doing everything legally and by the book so as to not reap any negative side effects down the road
Get a Post Office Box- That’s right, it’s always a good idea to rent a post office box for business related correspondence and mail. This will limit the amount of people that have direct access to your home address, to help ensure the safety of both you and your family members.
Homeowners Insurance- You may be thinking what do I need homeowners insurance for for my business? Isn’t that what business insurance is for? To cover all your bases and to protect your personal and business assets its best to look into if your homeowners insurance covers your home based business or if you will need to add further coverage. Remember having all your cards on the table from the beginning helps to prevent liabilities and such down the road.
Create a Business Environment- Just like with any other job from home you must treat it like actual work. Set boundaries with friends & family during “office hours” and make sure to create a work space where you feel organized and able to get things done. You will also need to make sure that you are keeping records, receipts and such of all income etc. This will help to make running your business easier and more efficient as well as simplify things when tax time rolls around.
While there is a bit more that goes into starting a home based business these main tips provided by Rick can definitely help to make both you and your business successful. Just remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, things take time but if you start out on the right foot and stay organized success is in your reach too, just like Rick!
There are many ways to make money from home either as a full time job or as a way to make extra cash in your spare time. Especially with the online world and the use of the internet making money from home has never been easier in a sense! What are some of the different jobs you can do from home to bring in that extra cash? Thinking outside of the box can actually produce some pretty easy ways to help boost your income from home!
Different Ways To Make Money From Home
Surveys- There are a number of different companies and research companies out there that will pay you to do online surveys for them. Each survey varies in the amount of time it takes to get them done and pay accordingly.
Online Reviews- review both websites and apps and get paid for it. Certain platforms out there will pay you up to $10 a review and each review takes roughly 20 min. You will be paid via paypal and can receive funds instantly.
Affiliate Marketing- associated with blogging those that have a blog, a website or are have a presence on social media platforms can make money by advertising products and companies. If some clicks on the ad or link you have set up on one of these outlets and buys something you get paid!
Review Music- If you appreciate music and love listening to it in your down time why not make money doing it. You can review artists and bands who are not yet signed and make money to do so! And thought you had to have a great voice or instrument talent to make money in the music industry!
Tutoring- Now with online tutoring sites you can tutor via the web. Think elementary, high school, or college math tutor etc.
Social Media- Are you skilled at all social media platforms, like making audience catching posts and perhaps taking pictures? Now you can turn that outlet into a full time paying job. Becoming a social media consultant has never sounded better! It may take a little work to get out there and get accounts but why not try it! You’d be surprised depending on the amount of accounts you have how much money you may be able to bring in.
You have a knack for writing and are a self motivated go getter. What better way to make money from home, while being your own boss, than to start a blog and become a blogger? Sounds pretty easy and a little too good to be true? In a sense it is. Why? Becoming a blogger/starting your own blog takes time, dedication, and not for those who tend to give up if they don’t immediately see results. Blogging can be a great stay at home job and can definitely bring in a substantial amount of income, however, you have to approach blogging in the right way and really be ready to work for what you want!
Guidelines To Becoming A Blogger
Time To Build- a successful blog takes time to build and establish. The amount of time it takes can also depend on the niche and the size of the audience associated with that niche.
No Quitters Aloud- Starting and maintaining a blog can definitely bring a lot of frustration, especially when you feel like those frustrations outweigh the good. But YOU CAN’T QUIT! Start by giving yourself a dedicated window of time that you have before you look back and decide to give up
Be Realistic- being realistic goes hand in hand with sticking it out. That means that you have to look at things without rose colored glasses or without being too optimistic. Set reasonable goals and continue to challenge yourself with new goals once you have conquered the first ones.
Treat It As A Real Business- You have to treat it as a real business if you want blogging to be one. Sure people may look at it as a hobby but the truth is if you want to succeed and grow your blog and it’s awareness you have to treat it like a real business. Get up and get “ready” for work. Dedicate a space and time frame that you will be able to sit concentrate and get things done.
Consistency- You must post frequently and consistently if you want to begin to establish your foundation.
Network- You have to in a sense market yourself because you are your business. Even if you a bit more reserved and have a harder time initiating communication it is important that you still reach out and do it! The more you network the wider the audience you will have exposure to. Not to mention other opportunities that may arise from it.
Efficiency Is Key- It is important that you use your time and use it wisely. Try not to get to caught up in the little details because that will prevent your from focusing on bigger things. Establish a routine or type os system that allows you to get things done in the time frame you have set for yourself.
While blogging can be a great way to make money from home and as well as start a new fun & interesting career, you must also keep in mind that blogging simply isn’t for everyone. If you give your hand a try at it and find it’s not for you, pat yourself on the back for taking the challenge and for trying it out. Then refocus your energy and decide what else interests you and go for it!
Thinking outside of the box, in terms of jobs that can be done from home can often lead to great success. Take for instance dispatching. Yep, we are talking about ALL the different types of dispatching services out there that include, ambulance, towing, trucking, and limo services to name a few. In fact we spoke with Donna, a stay at home mom who contributes to her family’s income by working for Phoenix Limo Service from home 5 days a week. Not only does she love her job, she is also able to be at home when her kids get off the school bus as well as make a great income. The first thing she said to us was that making the choice to work from home has been the best decision she could have made for her and her family! She also gave us a view pointers and an inside look as to what her limo dispatching job entails!
Tips On Dispatching Jobs From Home
First Things First- While not all states require a business license when working from home as a dispatcher she says it’s a good idea to acquire one. Afterall you are an independent contractor and thus help protect yourself when it comes to tax season and it basically legitimizes everything.
Telephone Lines Are Crucial- Your telephone line is in a sense your life line when it comes to your dispatching business. You need to make sure you have a strong connection and that it is reliable. Between customer and driver communication your telephone line is of great importance. It is also good to set different ringtones to your line so that you know what type of call may be coming in.
Dispatching Software- It is a good idea to purchase your own dispatching software. You can find free versions online as well as higher tech options that cost a bit more money. If you work for one company, such as Donna, they may provide you with their software which is a plus. However, should you want to branch out and take on more clients, owning your own software is a must. Afterall you are now a Business owner with a business license to show for it!
Invoices Are Important- As an independent contractor invoicing your hours and keeping detailed rack of them is very important. After All your time is money, and the more organized you are on your end allows for nothing to fall through the cracks. Stay organized in all aspects of your dispatching work and you will see the most success.
Customer Service Skills- While customers can often be frustrating especially if they are upset or frustrated, it is important to maintain customer service skills. The way you interact with clients will also become one of the main factors in your success.
Dispatching from home may not be for everyone, however it is just one example of a great stay at home job that some may not think of. The perk of working from home is that you can also be a bit more creative with what you do as far as work. If you want to make working from home a reality you will succeed as long as you stay focus, organized and are willing to perhaps think a little “outside that box”!
Creating a home office space has to fit both the person and their needs. The idea is to create a space that will aid in helping you be the most productive you can be. Check out this video on differnt office space ideas for your home!
Working from home via the internet has never sounded so great. You can show up in your pajamas, make your own hours all from the comfort of your own home. Hey you can even get comfortable on the couch and work with your feet up. All of this sounds great and like a job made in heaven right? What about productivity, organization, setting boundaries for unintended house calls, children running around, and personal phone calls bombarding your house phone. Maybe it doesn’t seem so easy to get the work you need to done, now does it? Working from home definitely has its perks, however, it does have its downfalls as well. That being said we have gathered a list of tips on how to make working from home enjoyable yet professional and efficient as well.
Success Tips When Working From Home
Get Ready- Although starting work in your pajamas may seem tempting and like it may be the most comfortable idea out there, DON’T DO IT! Instead showering & dressing like you would for any other job is ideal. Why? Getting up and getting ready for the day can help get you into work mode. When you feel polished and put together you are much more likely to be more efficient, productive and ready to start the day
Make An Agenda- Of course working from home comes with its distractions and disruptions especially you have children or your spouse in the house. Not to mention other little things that may occur through the day that can take your mind off of the task at hand. Make an agenda or to do list of the work that you need to accomplish that day. Even if you encounter a set back you will still know what needs to get done before you clock out for the day.
Utilize Technology- Storing your work related documents in the cloud, dropbox, google drive etc. will allow for any document to be reviewed from wherever you are. This makes things not only convenient but also efficient and can save a lot of time
Set Boundaries- In order to maintain productivity and succeed in working from home you must set boundaries. Without them you lose the control over your own work day. Making it a point to let friends & family know that you are not available between certain times during the day whether you are at home or not can be very helpful. Sending your calls from your home phone to voicemail, and scheduling doctors or other appointments for either early in the morning or late in the afternoon will help to establish these boundaries. Even though you are working from home it is important to dedicate uninterrupted time to your work and job just like you would if you had to go into the office everyday. It also can help you to stay on task and focused and not get distracted by impromptu visits and calls etc.
Create A Space- Having a dedicated workspace can also help you to establish a routine and stay on task and productive. Create an “office pace” that you correlate with working and getting things done. Making sure to have a comfortable chair can make the world o f difference as well. The more comfortable you are the longer you are able to sit and accomplish the task at hand.
While there are definitely numerous other tips to make working from home a success we feel like these are the key basics that will help keep you focused productive and aide in your success of working from home. Each person is different and may respond to different techniques better than others. In the end you need to find a routine and a set of boundaries that works best for you!