Last summer, I wrote what was to become the most popular article ever written on this site, the Top Ten Internet Home Business Ideas You Can Start and Run in Your Underwear. I believe the popularity of the article was not just because it gave a good overview of 10 great home business ideas, but it also gave readers a reality check: fast internet riches are the exception, not the norm.
I continue to get seriously frustrated as I see people promote products or services that promise that their system will do the work for you, or insinuating that passive income means that you will make money while sipping pina coladas. While there might come a day when your business will earn revenue while you sit poolside, it will only be if you treat your business as a business, and that means working on it on a regular basis.
Of course, the luxury of working at home means that you can haul your laptop out to the pool to get work done – and it is this freedom that entices millions of people to try to find that elusive work at home opportunity that will rake in the bucks on 10 hours a week. In reality it’s more like 50 hours a week – especially in the early stages. Starting an internet business is just like starting a brick and mortar business. In fact, in some ways it is harder, because you will have to overcome consumers inherent distrust of internet businesses (of which you can thank the people who post pictures of themselves sipping pina coladas by their pool next to stacks of cash… but I digress… ).
If I haven’t scared you away yet, then you just might make it. While being an internet entrepreneur is challenging, a lot of hard work, and takes a long time to build to fruition, it IS worth it. I get to walk my kids to school and work next to my fireplace in the winter & next to open french doors in the summer. I never sit in rush hour traffic, and I spend less than $40 a month on gas (for my SUV!). I can take time off whenever I want, and because I have worked thousands of hours to build a strong business with multiple streams of income, I know that I will earn money even when I am away. And just so you know, it’s taken me over 2 years to get here, and there’s still a long way to go before I am a millionaire.
As I said last time, the key to getting up and running in a work at home business is to leverage your current skills into your business model. Don’t expect to know everything; you will be learning new things every single day. But do maximize what you already know so that you can hit the ground running.
All of these ideas (with the exception of buying a franchise) can be started with simply a computer and some minor software purchases. A few require training or certifications beyond the scope of the particular business model. And all of them will benefit from these web site marketing tips.
Coaching
What is it? :: Helping clients work through healthy life and business obstacles or challenges
Most important experience needed :: Listening, questioning, compassion, marketing
Authority Resources :: International Coach Federation, CoachU, Coachville
Recommended Book :: Coaching Millions: Help More People, Make More Money, Live Your Ultimate Lifestyleby Milana Leshinsky
Podcasting
What is it? :: Creating an online radio show supported by advertising
Most important experience needed :: Public speaking/presentation skills, light audio editing, sales
Recommended learning resource :: School of Podcasting
Recommended Book :: Podcasting Bible
Membership Sites
What is it? :: Creating an e-learning environment open only to paid members
Most important experience needed :: Instructional design, presentation skills, lead generation and the ability to create a series of ebooks, audio programs and/or video tutorials
Recommended learning resource :: Teaching Sells
Recommended Book :: Start A Paid Membership Site
E-Product Development
What is it? :: Authoring and/or recording ebooks, audio books or video programs
Most important experience needed :: Ecommerce, lead generation, direct marketing
Recommended learning resource :: ePublishing Daily
Recommended Book :: From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money with books, E-Books and Information Products
E-zine/Email Marketing
What is it? :: Selling a subscription to a Ezine (emailed magazine), or selling products via email
Most important experience needed :: Direct marketing, sales copywriting, list building, light html
Recommended learning resource :: Vertical Response Marketing Blog
Recommended Book :: E-Mail Marketing For Dummies
Niche Forums
What is it? :: Building a community website supported by either subscriptions or advertisers
Most important experience needed :: Community building, networking and forum setup, administration & moderation
Recommended learning resource :: Webmaster Talk (used to be Earner’s Forum)
Recommended Book :: Managing Online Forums: Everything You Need to Know to Create and Run Successful Community Discussion Boards
Find a Franchise
What is it? :: The right or license granted by a company to an individual or group to market its products or services in a specific territory
Most important experience needed :: Various, depending on the franchise
Recommended learning resources :: FranchiseGator, Entreprenur.com’s Franchise Zone
Recommended Book :: Franchise Times Guide to Selecting, Buying & Owning a Franchise
Special Note :: Franchises usually require a considerable investment, please research your decisions carefully
Tutoring
What is it? :: Tutoring students via the web
Most important experience needed :: Academic knowledge, teaching ability, marketing
Authority Resource :: National Tutoring Association
Recommended Book :: Tutoring as a Successful Business – An Expert Tutor Shows You How
Special Tip :: Tutor.com hires freelance tutors to work out of their home
Bookkeeping/Accounting
What is it? :: Helping small businesses manage their financial record keeping
Most important experience needed :: Accounting/CPA skills, attention to detail, customer service
Authority Resource :: American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers
Recommended Book :: Start & Run a Bookkeeping Business
Workshops & Teleseminars
What is it? :: Conducting workshops via conference calls or web-based conference rooms
Most important experience needed :: Public speaking/presentation skills, instructional design, lead generation
Recommended learning resource :: Avocado Consulting
Recommended Book :: Designing Effective Workshops & Teleclasses
About Kelly McCausey
Kelly McCausey has been making money online doing the things she loves since 2002. Kelly is blogging and podcasting and helping others make their work at home dreams come true.
This is one of the best post filled with the darn truth. I work 40 hours at my day job and at least 40 on this dam computer blogging and posting. It ain’t no circus. Now we are almost ready to launch our new page and monetize the site.
This information is priceless..thanks so much..
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call your gram
grammology.com
Dorothy Stahlneckers last blog post..Guest Post from Danni Miller, CEO of Enlighten Education
Nice follow up on the original list! Technology (specifically the web) has opened up so many opportunities for individuals who have creativity, vision and determination.
Chars last blog post..Common Craft’s Social Media in Plain English
I’m a new reader and haven’t seen the original list of ideas, but I completely agree with what you say about success (online or anywhere else) being the result of hard work.
I’m also new to blogging and I feel quite sure I could work full-time and much more on my blog; there’s so much to learn!
I’m enjoying sparkplugging a lot – so glad I discovered you.
ooops – time to get started on my “day job”!
Ann
Ann at One Bag Nations last blog post..The Basement Report: 39 Gift Bags
I’m quite new to the whole internet business, but without a doubt, you learn something new everyday. With a lot of hard work and consistency I believe one can succeed. Thank you for keeping it real..great read. It’s refreshing to read an article without all the false sugar coating!
I am developing a business idea right now but I’m just not sure what format it’s best suited for. I am trying to decide between an e-zine format or niche forums. Are there any resources out there for how to select the best format for a community site? Also, does anyone have any links to some examples of both – ezines and niche forums, I’d love to compare them. Great post…thanks!
Thanks for the mention.
Much appreciated.
Speaking as one who has followed the advice of leading internet marketing women like you AND benefitted from it I have to say thank you for the ongoing encouragement and resources!
What I find exciting is the opportunity that the internet offers to women and men needing flexibility in their work life or trying to build some security through self employment.
It is hard work and I clock more than 60 per week (sometimes) but it is so worth it from a personal and professional perspective.
Sharon McMillans last blog post..A Little Inspiration
I have found starting a home business online is like doing a college course. You are learning and implementing what you have learnt all the time.
It is much harder than a lot of people portray, but if you stick at it you will succeed.
Lisa, I appreciated your honesty. There is so much hype out there regarding how people can make thousands of dollars with very little effort. You are 100% correct-building an internet business requires work, consistency, and time to build a substantial income. If anyone is trying to tell a person otherwise, I’d turn and run from them!
Thanks for the mention of our blog!!
Janine Popick
CEO – VerticalResponse
I can totally relate to what you said about putting in a lot of time to create a home business. It’s not easy but being home with my kids makes it all worthwhile for me.
Kellys last blog post..How Does Affiliate Marketing Work? Let Rosalind Explain
It is true, you can make money online through various ways, but it will take effort, time, knowledge and the most important step I believe is mindset. The thinking process needs to start with the fact that this is a business not just quick way to make money because it does require knowledge and ACTION to make any progression. Keep in mind that it is important to find mentors who have been there and done that and the key word there is DONE THAT – because so many “Guru’s” claim to be making bags full of money. It can be done but with a solid foundation of setting up an automated business that takes time to create from the beginning and then groomed to run on autopilot from there with little supervision.
Stick with it and remember it can be done and plan on investing time and knowledge to start you journey -
Franck Silvestres last blog post..How Do I Make My Own Website To Start An Online Business
Great article! This is really good source of home based business resources. Thank you for putting this up! You’re doing a great job, keep it up!
And remember…Success is not by chance, it’s by CHOICE!
Genesis Pure Business Opportunitys last blog post..Genesis Pure, An Entrepreneur’s Business Opportunity
I’ve been working online for two years now but I’ve only recently stopped from accepting paying clients so I can focus on establishing my own sites so I can be my own boss. I must say that earning online has been the toughest challenge I have ever encountered in my life. Feels like blood keeps oozing down my nose. I hope that I succeed one day.
Ninahs last blog post..Five Tips to Buying Contact Lenses Online
I love working from home. I have my own office looking out into our backyard garden. But I don’t just sit around looking out at the view.
I work 5 days a week about 7 hours a day with my online business. I don’t think I have ever gotten anything for just sitting around. It always takes some work to keep the ball rolling.
I wouldn’t want to change things after working for others for about 40 years it is nice to be able to call the shots.
I really like it now when friends call to go fishing and I can just saw where and when.
nice share from you, specially liked the 3rd idea of “Membership Sites”… i have seen many sites doing this business, and enjoying healthy revenue, the important thing is that, in this business you need to provide extremely valuable service / info to your users which is generally not available anywhere, then the chances of being successful are more.