Creative Ideas for Making a Living Without a JobI was your typical frustrated cubicle dweller. Then one day as I was sitting in yet another too-long staff meeting it hit me. I didn't need a job change... I needed to change my life! Today I'm living my dream. I'm my own boss... I work from home... and best of all, I get to make a living doing what I truly love. It doesn't get much better than that! If you're ready to take control of your life and time... to use your gifts to their fullest... and to achieve greater balance between your work and your life... you've come to the right place. Every one of the resources listed here have been endorsed by respectable business magazines like Entrepreneur or the former Home Office Computing and/or have been personally reviewed by me. How to Use This Page Step 1: Understand the Rewards of "Widening Your Lens" I'm convinced that the biggest reason most people never go after their dream isn't fear but rather, lack of information. Like most people, you've probably been well trained to operate within a very limited range of work options. Jobs like plumber, police officer, social worker, scientist all come under the umbrella of a j-o-b. But there's so much more to life. And, once you discover how many fascinating ways there are to make a living... or wide range of unique learning and training opportunities available... or the myriad of helpful resources that exist in the world... your mind will expand right along with your options. I'm here to tell you that are as many ways to earn a living as there are people and passions. When you widen your lens to span the entire range of fascinating work-life options (not just the traditional 9-to-5 ones your guidance counselor, career counselor, or job counselor told you about) you'll suddenly start seeing the world very differently. You'll start to see possibilities – and opportunities – literally everywhere. For example, one of the categories in this section is called Ideas for Animal Lovers. Even if animals aren't your thing, just the simple act of reading about all the interesting ways there are for animal lovers to turn their passion into profit is tremendously inspiring. But that's not all. Getting outside your immediate interest area can have the unexpected benefit of sparking an idea or two that does relate to your passion! Even if a particular resource on this page doesn't seem to speak to your unique gifts or interests... read it anyway. Why? Because you never know when you might find an information nugget, a connection, or a perspective that can lead to some change-enhancing idea, aha, or insight that DOES support your dream. When you widen your lens by reading about things outside your personal areas of interest, you'll soon see that the possibilities are endless. Step 2: Discover the Surprising Payback That Comes from Supporting Other People's Dreams Changing course is as much about GIVING support as it is getting it. The great writer Alice Walker explained the reciprocal nature of support beautifully. She wrote... "Wherever I have knocked, a door has opened. Wherever I have wandered, a path has appeared. I have been helped, supported, encouraged, and nurtured by people of all races, creeds, colors, and dreams; and I have, to the best of my ability, returned help, support, encouragement, and nurture. This receiving, nurturing, or passing on has been the most amazing, joyous and continuous experience of my life."
Maybe you're not into writing or travel or music... but I bet you know someone who is. What a great thing it is to be able to buck the dream-busting mentality out there by passing along a resource that might enable someone else's dream! So, as you learn about the different resources listed here, or you read or an article, or see something on TV or on the web, I encourage you to consciously think to yourself, "Whose dream might this information help?" I guarantee that when you support others dreams, you'll receive support in return. Step 3: Screen Out Work-From-Home and Other Self-Employment ScamsI don't have to tell you there's a lot of "earn thousands of dollars in your spare time" and other "get rich quick" scams out there. Do your homework. Here are four sites to help you screen out the scams: Step 4: Decide Where You Want to Begin 
Great Ways to Make a Living Without a JobCourse from The American Writers and Artists Institute These first four resources all come from the American Writers and Artists Institute. In addition to personally reviewing each of the courses featured here, I've also met the dedicated and talented staff at their offices in Delray Beach, Florida, spoken at several of their outstanding workshops, and even hired a number of their program graduates as freelancers. All AWAI programs are affordable and come with the comfort of a money-back guarantee. These are top notch courses that offer very real earnings potential and I endorse them wholeheartedly. If You Can Write a Simple Letter, You Can Earn a Great Living as a Freelance Copywriter Simply put, a copywriter is someone who uses words to sell products, services, or causes. One huge perk of being a freelance copywriter is the flexible lifestyle. You can earn your living from anywhere in the world – on the road in your RV, a London flat, an island, or your own home. The self-paced course is outstanding and includes individual feedback from an AWAI instructor. Plus they show you everything you need to know to start getting paid assignments. Top copywriters earn mega-six figure incomes. Most people average more in the $40,000 – $80,000 range. I've personally met dozens of people who, in as soon as a year, have been able to quit their job to work as full-time freelance copywriters. Read my complete course review and meet the instructors and people who've taken the course. Make Money With Your Computer At Home Okay, here's my challenge... In the space of a paragraph, how do I clearly explain this much in-demand career, outline the eight reasons I really like this self-paced course, tell you how you can make a six figure income working from home, and have your business up and running in as little as six weeks? Two words... I don't. But, if you have 60 seconds you can read my complete review by clicking here. Become a Paid Travel Writer The American Writers & Artists Ultimate Travel Writer's Program is a 269 page course that teaches you everything you need to know to launch your career as a paid travel writer. Topics include insider's secrets to successful interviews, how to make editors happy and eager to work with you, and where to find freelance assignments. As a freelance writer, you'll enjoy earning extra money doing what you love (traveling!), you'll get legitimate and often substantial tax write offs for travel, entertainment, books, computers, and more. Plus, you'll have the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, at your own pace, as your own boss. -
Start Your Own Resume Writing Business in Less Than a Week There aren't a lot of businesses you can start for $99. The Pro Resume Writing Program gives you everything you need to set up and run your own successful at-home business as a professional resume writer. In addition to learning how to quickly and easily create resumes for a wide range of professions, you'll find a heavy emphasis on teaching you how to market and grow your business. In the program description they talk about the potential to earn six figures. If you take advantage of the various add-on services you'll learn about and focus on a high-end market (people who make six figures expect to pay top dollar for a resume) then I'm sure some people can make that much. But even if you generated more like $25,000 to $50,000, it's a pretty low risk way to launch a business on the side until you can quit your day job or to just earn extra income.
Val's Pick Work From Home By Running Your Own Home Repair Referral Network There are over 200 Homeowner Referral Networks (HRN) operating in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. HRN was rated the #1 Business Opportunity for 1999 by Small Business Opportunities Magazine and founder Debra Cohen has received tons of national media coverage. Basically, the business involves matching homeowners with reputable independent home repair contractors who in turn pay you a percentage of their fee. A range of business start-up kits are available all of which include The Complete Guide to Owning and Operating a Successful Homeowner Referral Network and unlimited leads from the HRN website. To learn more about how Deb got started and read some real life success stories click here. Val's Pick Write Children's Books If have a passion for young people, and would love to make money writing for children or teenagers, this is the course for you! For over 34 years, the Institute for Children's Literature has been helping aspiring writers like you become published – and paid – writers. The course materials are outstanding plus, you'll be matched with a published author who'll review each assignment and help propel you to success. The course is affordable, you can take it at your own pace, and many students sell articles before even finishing the course! Read my complete review. Train to be a Personal Coach The coaching business is booming as more and more people hire personal, business, and executive coaches to help them achieve their goals. Because most coaching is done over the phone, coaches can work from anywhere. There are a number of coach training programs out there. I picked this one because it is resource rich, offers numerous training options, invites member participation on its many R&D teams, and is free to join! Members (I am one) have access to RealAudio and a wide range of web-based training courses based around 100 Coaching Competencies. You'll also find hundreds of forms (checklists, guides, assessments, etc.) for all types of coaching with all types of clients. Offer Your Own Tele-Classes If you enjoy teaching – and have something to share with others – you can lead TeleClasses. Conducting a Teleclass can be fun, personally rewarding, and extremely profitable! You pick the topic – anything from managing teenagers to marketing to meditation – and students pay to attend! Advertise your class at TeleClass.com which also offers a 6-week course in how to be a tele-class leader and a shorter one on the keys to financial success. Aspiring Self-Help Book Authors, Inspirational Speakers and Workshop Leaders, and Dreamers Suzanne Falter-Barns, author of the inspiring yet highly practical book, How Much Joy Can You Stand? A Creative Guide to Facing Your Fears and Making Your Dreams Come True offers an impressive collection of resources dedicated to helping you make your dreams come true. Think you'd like to write a self-help book? Take the Self-Help Author's Crash Course. This 12-week Teleclass teaches you how to create a sellable self-help book. Dreamers in general will find a number of helpful eBooks, eWorkshops, and meditation CDs. Definitely worth a visit. Turn Your Values Into Your VocationJust because you can't save the world doesn't mean you can't make a difference. For example, you could... Start your own non-profit organization Starting a non-profit doesn't happen overnight. On the other hand, it's not nearly as hard as you might think! Write a grant The Foundation Center offers free workshops on grant writing and a monthly subscription service listing grants available to artists, researchers. Start a for-profit business or an On-line business Once you've decided on a group or cause you want to in some way support think about what gifts you'd like to use in the service of your values. For example, you might start your own consulting or speaking business, write a book, or offer some kind of product or service.
Return to Step 4 Other Work From Home and Freelance Resources Finding Work From Home Jobs The vast majority of work from home job sites are scams at worst and disappointing at best. I felt instantly reassured when I discovered that Home Office Computing magazine voted this company the winner for best contract/staffing site (December 2000 issue). All job postings have been screened so you won't find any scams, jobs that charge a fee, home biz opportunities, assembly jobs, or MLM programs. What you will find are legitimate work at home j-o-b-s doing word processing, research, writing, data entry, administrative, web design, customer service, transcription, desk top publishing, telemarketing, translation, and more. For $29 you get a year of access to a private telecommuting job board, a list of 700 companies that hire home workers, the opportunity to list your services to interested companies and the comfort of a 30 day money-back guarantee. For a list of sample jobs, click here. The Home-Based Business Opportunity Site features an extensive article and resource library featuring articles on how to turn any hobby into a part-time business, 29 ways to make money cooking or baking, starting your own glass etching business, plus links to various courses and ebooks on how to start specific businesses. The Telework Job Seekers Handbook Legitimate work at home jobs do exist! The key, says Phil Montero, AKA the "Mobile Man" is knowing where to find them and how to weed out scams. Phil's eBook contains 275 pages including over 1000 links and resources. If you want a more flexible work schedule while still having the benefit of a regular weekly paycheck, would like to work for a company that understands the value of work/life balance and understands that there is more to life than just work, or would you like to eliminate your daily commute and instead spend more time with family and friends – this site is for you. Finding Freelance Assignments ELance is a freelance job finding service where you can market your services and bid on a wide range of freelance assignments. The service is especially useful for those seeking to start or build a home-based business in the areas of: Web design & development, software & technology, graphic design, business strategy (marketing, business plans, PR, etc.), writing & translation, personal assistants, legal (research, patents, etc.), accounting & finance or a whole host of other areas to fit your skills and interests. Jobs for Freelance Writers The number one challenge for freelance writers is finding paying assignments. This site offers a weekly e-newsletter featuring 20-30+ freelance writing opportunities delivered to your e-door first thing Monday morning. Assignments are for websites, corporate newsletters, trade magazine, e-newsletters, and ad agencies. You also get updates on new editors and publishers at established publications and their contact information, listings of new website and publication start-ups, and new columns needing freelance material. Subscriptions options range from 14 to 52 weeks with prices from $25 to $50 with a free, scaled down version (7-10 jobs) that comes out on Thursdays. The first issue and several market research guides are free. Subscriptions come with a 30 day money back guarantee. Train Women To Do Their Own Home Repair This woman-owned business seeks to educate women to become confident, competent homeowners by offering workshops and a range of lighter-weight tools designed to fit a woman's grip. They're actively seeking entrepreneurial women to learn how to become trainers and earn money on the sale of the tools. Think of it as being an Avon rep but with tools. The Problem: A friend tried it and discovered that it's not easy finding other women who have the time to host an in-home party. My Work-Around Idea: Hold your workshop at a local tile, furniture, window treatment, or other store where home-owners shop. The store gets the traffic and you get free advertising and meeting space. If you like this idea, look into combining it with running your own Home Referral Network. Love History and Writing? Did you know you can actually get paid for writing personal biographies for people? According to the Association of Personal Historians, personal historians come from a variety of backgrounds and orientations. They also earn a living doing some other cool things in such areas as genealogy, storytelling, gerontology, counseling, and video documentary. This association offers conferences, workshops, and a place to connect with others who share your passion for history and for making a living at it. So You Wanna... You could spend hours on this site. Not totally work related but the ones that are offer great information in categories like so you wanna be a sitcom writer, comic book artist, pitch a TV show, publish your poetry, write a business plan, and lots more. Return to Step 4 Ideas for Animal LoversThe Humane Society University site has lots of great information for people who are or Dog Trainers Network or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Pet Sitters International Information for people who want to start a pet sitting business including getting insurance. Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) has established a series of standards for professional competence in pet dog training by certifying dog training professionals. Exams are held in 15 states and candidates who pass the exam will earn the title Certified Pet Dog Trainer and may use the designation, "CPDT," after their names. The APDT also sponsors an annual educational conference and trade show. In Europe: The Animal Consultants and Trainers Association. For my European friends... according to the site, ACTA members have experience in the field of media use of animals in stills, stage, advertising, television and film. Six Careers for Pet Lovers Article features these and many more great ideas for animal lovers. Return to Step 4
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