People constantly ask me how they can start earning a steady income from home relatively quickly. The inevitable answer is to try providing a service that is in demand.

Recently, one of our members told us she has been working her candle business for over a year with little return and 2 days after starting her V.A. (virtual assistant) business, she was profitable.

Not surprising at all. She had some connections and was able to find business owners that needed her help. She fulfilled a need and was paid for her time.

If you are still struggling with the online business thing and need to put food on the table or have extra funds to invest in your business, you can offer a service too.

Here are some ideas to consider:

Advertising

Answering Service

Architect

Aromatherapist

Astrological Charts

Baby Sign Language

Bookkeeping

Business Financing

Business Opp Leads

Business Plan Consultant

Calligraphy

Career Counselor

Collection Agency

Craft Business

Computer Animation

Computer Consultant

Computer Training

Copywriter

Credit Consulting

Database Consultant

Dating Service

Dental Claims Processing

Desktop Publishing

Directory Publisher

Efficiency Expert

Employment Agency

Event Planner

Event Promotion

Ezine Publishing

Family Tree Researcher

Freelance Artist

Fundraiser

Graphic Design

Greeting Card Artist

Greeting Card Writing Service

Herbalist

Home & Small Business Consultant

Image Consultant

Internet Marketing

Internet Researcher

Internet Training

Job Listings

Market Research

Marketing Consultant

Medical Claims Processing

Medical Coding

Medical Transcription

Menu Planner

Mystery Shopper

Mortgage Business

New Product Researcher

Newsletter Publishing

Notary

Nutritionist

Online Dating

Party Planning

Pattern Making

Personal Coaching

Personal Santa Letters

Personal Shopper

Poetry

Product Development Consultant

Proofreading

Reminder Service

Resume Writing

Roommate Finding

Scopist

Search Engine Optimization

Software Developer

Song Writer

Tax Preparation

Technical Writer

Telemarketing

Time Management Consultant

Transcription

Translator

Travel

Tutoring

Virtual Assistant (VA)

Web Design

Website Hosting

Website Promotion

Word Processing

Writing

If you are going to start a service-based business and want to get it going right away, I’d recommend the following:

1. Choose something where you likely have access to a client base.

For example, if you want to be a VA and already have a bunch of Internet business owners, you might have a pool of interested people. That doesn’t mean you can’t start from scratch in something that interests you, but realize it might take longer to get up and running.

2. Set up a website right away.

Even if it is a basic website that tells people why they need your service and a way to contact you, get that up right away. As a home business owner, you need to have an office where people can visit you. Your website is your office. You can tweak and improve it later.

3. Ask people for referrals.

If you know somebody might be in touch with your ideal client base, ask for referrals. Also, ask the clients you acquire for referrals. Satisfied clients are an amazing source of new clientele.

4. Do a great job, but don’t overload yourself.

Remember, you are getting paid for the time you work with your clients, but a business has other obligations as well. You need to schedule time (or hire someone) for administrative tasks, marketing, etc.

The only thing to consider now is that if you start a service-based business, you’ve set yourself up with a JOB that you do from home. In part 2 of this article, you’ll find tips to turn your home job into a full-fledged business.

Article by:

Alice Seba is a full-time Internet marketer that thrives on helping others start Internet businesses from home. Claim your subscription to her “Internet Marketing Prescriptions” for fresh ideas to apply to your Internet based business. Sign up at: www.InternetMarketingPrescriptions.com

Last 5 posts by Alice Seba

• Writing from the Heart – How to Really Connect With Your Audience - September 2nd, 2010
• Different Types of Content You Can Add To Your Website - September 2nd, 2010
• Repurposing Your Content – Easy Tips and Ideas - September 2nd, 2010
• What’s Your USP? – How to Be Unique and Memorable - September 2nd, 2010
• Why Content Is King to the Search Engines (And Your Visitors) - September 2nd, 2010

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