1. Set up a web site, and turn it into a web business. What? You don't know anything about setting up a web site? So what! You don't need to. There are plenty of web hosting solutions out there that include a free web building package as part of the hosting deal. If you know a web designer, sweet-talk him/her into building a site for you. If you don't talk to one anyway and suggest cutting them into a share of the profits in return for handling all the technical requirements. How about buying a website that is already running. Tip: Just make sure that the content is something that you understand and, better still, you have some knowledge and enthusiasm about.
2. Write articles for others. There is a growing demand for people that can write articles on a host of diverse topics. People will even pay you for compiling lists and directories. You can get paid for posting onto web logs (blogs). I cam across a great site the other day that is looking for writes now! It is payperpost.com. Why not check it out?
3. Are you a collector? Are you interested in stamps, antiques, posters, comics, dolls? Buy and sell online. Apparently there are 20,000 people in the UK alone who make their entire living working from home just nuying and selling on eBay and QXL.com
4. Instead of buying and selling online, make stuff yourself and sell it online. A friend of mine took some embroidery lessons. Next thing you know she was selling velvet cushions on eBay making as much for 20 hours work a week as she was as a bank manager working 40+ hours a week. Now she even employs someone to help her meet demand.
5. Have a hobby? Convert that hobby into a money-making venture! It doesn't even have to be internet-based.
Are you into animals? Set up a dog-walking business, or do they call that pet-minding? Pet-grooming then?
Make plates and pots - or charge to teach other people your craft
Knit a lot? Charge to knit for others. Do alterations
Like baking? Buy a £9 book about themed birthday cake ideas and put your pinny on! This is truly viral. Once mums see your incredible creations at a birthday party, they'll all be asking where the cake came from. Word gets around fast.
Handy with a video camera? Buy a video editing package (iMovie is free if you have a Mac) and set up a video editing service. How many people do you know with hundreds of hours of unedited family footage? Charge them £x per hour for viewing and £y for editing time. You can even charge for burning the DVDs.
Love kids? Do some child care or child tutoring.
Love reading? Plenty of proofreading work out there.
Speak a foreign language? Translation pays well.
6. Put people together. My Dad is a very clever bloke. He made a small fortune putting local foreign language tutors in touch with students. They either used the student's or tutor's own home, so he didn't even need to provide premises. Tutors supplied their own teaching materials. He charged students X, paid tutors Y and made profit Z on every single hour of tuition.
7. Explore a local opportunity. Check out your area for some service that isn't being offered. Remember, if there is no competition for supply, then you can generally charge a higher price. Ideas include cleaning homes and offices, house-minding, leaflet distribution, cleaning windows.
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