eBusinessPartnersonline.com is my freelance writing and consulting business. As a freelance writer I write just about anything you can think of – web blogs, articles, content for web sites, content for brochures. But my “bread and butter” is what I have been doing for over twenty years – writing responses to government proposals. Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quote (RFQ) are just some of the writing responses that I do. I have found a niche and stuck with it for all of these years and have made money for my clients as well as myself. It doesn’t matter what type of business my clients have, I have written responses for movers, recruiters, human resources services, translation services, construction companies, IT companies to security services and many more. All of these businesses have one thing in common – they have developed a business model that has been successful for them for many years and stuck with it.

Not only do I write proposals and other content for my clients but also offer business consulting. Take for example, one of my clients that provided CNA services. His company has been in this market for many years and was successful at it. However, he wanted to branch out and provide clerical and admin support. I told him quite frankly, that he was moving into foreign territory and should stick with what he did best. He had the hiring, placement and management of this end of his business down to a fine art. To start a new business model would take him years to develop and he may lose money.

So what does this mean to your business especially during these hard economic times? Simply put, do what you do best.

If your business model prior to the downturn has been successful, stick with it. Why? Your clients will come back to you knowing your good reputation and excellent customer service and will count on you to provide them with the best products or services. Now may not be the time to diversify or restructure your business model.

Don’t forget to keep in touch with your previous clients. As the old saying goes, it’s financially wiser and easier to keep a client than to get a new one.

Until later,

Linda

I also have great resources on my home page about site and business promotion tips. One of the article link on my site is “10 Things you must do this year to stay in business.” Yvette Adams of Big Ben to the Big Pineapple wrote this article. Yvette is a freelance writer, speaker, author, PR/marketing consultant, online and offline editor, events manager and more.

One of her tips that struck me as a great idea is to set up a Google Alert so you are the first to know when your company, web site, product or service is mentioned online. What a great way to get free PR.  Also when you sign up on Google Alerts you can also keep an eye on your competitors and other tools online to see what they are doing and how they are weathering this economic storm.
Another tip is to write web blogs and participant on the online community like FaceBook, Twitter, and other social networking sites. Just about everyone is surfing the Internet today so keeping your business in front of them is really important. 
2009 is going to be tough for all business people whether online or offline. However, the Internet has given us many possibilities to stay informed on how to stay afloat and make some money this year.

Until later,

Linda

Just about any type of job can be a freelance or contract job.  One of the fastest growing jobs is in the Home Health Industry according to Monster.com.  If you are an experienced medical biller, claims assistance professional or medical transcriber you may want to consider a home-based health services business.  If you don’t have experience in the medical field try freelancing your administrative services to small and medium size companies.  For example, you can do data entry, travel, or take on projects such as large mailings for small businesses.

As for me, for the last six years I have been freelancing and contracting my writing services to various clients.  I chose this profession because I believe that I have the ability to write and convey thoughts into the written word.  I am business savvy and understand the business world.  I love to write and have written several researched eBooks as well as articles and my forte is writing responses to government bids.

In this way, I am offering a service to small and medium sized businesses at affordable prices.  For them to hire a full time writer would be very costly.  Instead they hire me when they need me.  Now I haven’t made my first million yet, but I enjoy the independence and self-fulfillment that working as a freelance or contract worker has afforded me.

When you decide to work as a freelancer you need to be persistent, creative and ambitious.  You need to believe in yourself and what you do.  You need to be committed, determined, flexible and adaptable and not be afraid of hard work.  Take advantage of the skills you have and turn it into a successful freelance business.

So do you think you have what it takes to do freelance or contract work?  Whether you are a writer, graphic artist or admin I suggest that you keep your day job before you jump into the freelance world.  Start selling your services on a part-time basis.  When your business starts to grow you can say good-bye to the corporate world and hello to your own freelance or contract business.

Let me know what you think about doing freelance work.  Have you tried it?  Were you successful? Or was it a big bust? 

Until later,

Linda

The first thing you need to do is find out what your passion is.  For example, do you like a certain product or enjoy providing services to people? 

Tutoring kids and adults is becoming a very lucrative small business.  But if you can’t even spell “cat” or have problems adding up numbers unless you use a calculator and absolutely don’t know where China is on the map then this is not for you.  But if you have at least a high school or college degree then look into becoming a tutor.

For those of us who don’t’ have the educational background the next growing small business idea is the Home Party Sales.  Now I know we all remember the Tupperware parties and the Avon parties but there is real money to be made from this.  Even I took a chance in my former life to sell in home party goods.  I sold Stanley Home Products and really enjoyed the in home party idea and made some money.  Statistics show that in 2004 Home Parties accounted for roughly 29 percent of the nearly $30 billion in U.S. direct sales.  This is about 13.6 million Americans who bought or sold goods from home.  We are talking about direct sellers who are selling everything from organic gardening supplies to wine, apparel and power tools.  Today, you can even host virtual parties online.

Here are some Home Party small business ideas that are out there for a small initial fee: pet products; design your own handbags; jewelry; hats; clothing; fuller brush; pampered chief.  My former neighbor started selling Pampered Chief products and within a couple of years is now a supervisor with her own territory and making some nice money.  She won trips to Hawaii and Disneyland.  I’m not saying that everyone should sell Pampered Chief products but I think you get the idea that by working hard and being passionate about your small business anything is possible.  You need to develop relationships, be a good salesperson and not be afraid to follow up with your customers to see if they need more products.

If in home party sales are not for you, have you considered this small business idea – pet waste removal service.  This is one of the hottest new small business ideas.  Think about it, who wants to pick up after their pets?  Somebody has to do it.  Your investment is minimal.  You need a vehicle, a few cleanup tools like a rake and a dustpan, a closed-waste disposal system for your vehicle and some advertising.  Pet clean up scooper services usually charge as little as $25 a month to clean up after one to three dogs and up to $125 a month for twice-weekly services.  Or you can offer biweekly plans and charge $40 to $50 per month.

Do the math – if you have 100 biweekly customers each at $50 you would gross $5,000 a month or $60,000 annually.  Spring and fall are the busiest months and the optimal time is between April and November.  You can even charge a spring cleanup fee of $85 to $100 to get the grounds in shape for regular waste removal services.

I know that some of these small business ideas may sound bizarre, but if you really want to be independent and make some money the key is to find out what people need and how to service them.  Ask your friends and family what their needs are, don’t assume you know.  Then develop a plan and go with it.

Look for my next blog about the Reality of Freelance and Contract Work.

Until later,

Linda

Have you ever thought of starting your own bed and breakfast inn? 

As a pragmatist I wanted to learn what it takes to own a bed and breakfast inn.  So I researched and talked with several owners of a bed and breakfast and then I wrote an eBook about owning a bed and breakfast inn.

First of all owning a bed and breakfast inn is more of a lifestyle choice than a business decision.  This may sound shocking but it’s true.  You need to have a passion for entertaining guests and opening up your home to complete strangers.  But the rewards you receive far outweigh any type of inconvenience to you.  You will meet new people; make a good living and most of all you are your own boss.

If this is what you have been dreaming about then I highly recommend that you read my eBook

HOME AWAY FROM HOME OPERATING A BED AND BREAKFAST http://www.startingabusiness.yourinformationcenter.com/.  This all inclusive and affordable eBook gives you a good look at starting a B&B business with the basics you need to know.  I’ve included interviews and advice from actual B&B owners.  I also give you ideas on going rates, how to handle reservations and cancellations, how to market your bed and breakfast inn and so much more.

So if your resolution is to start your own small business then you need to read my eBook before you buy or build a bed and breakfast inn.

Until later,

Linda