Despite the improving economy, people are still looking for ways to replace or supplement their income.
Starting a home based business is a proven way to improve cash flow, minimize commute time and maintain a schedule suited to your life.
There are many types of home business ideas available in print and online, but how do you decide which one is best for you?
These five books are written by people who actually work at home. Some have been duped by Internet schemes or have invested in a business that was not all it promised to be.
All are now running successful home businesses and want to share their knowledge and experience with those ready to venture into a home business of their own.
Home Based Business for Dummies
This book is now in its third edition and contains new and revised content. Topics in this edition include:
- Financial and legal aspects of starting and maintaining a home business
- Cost effective promotional and advertising plans
- How to make the business profitable
- How to avoid home business scams
Like all the books in the For Dummies series, topics are easy to reference and the book reads well.
Start and Run a Real Home-Based Business
The author gives readers thorough advice on how to select a business that is right for them, then how to market and expand that business.
The advice can be applied to many types of businesses including child care, landscaping, consulting and others. The advice is practical and can be used right away.
Unique to this book is the addressing of the problems that arise when working from home. He includes tips on how to get the family to help out with the business, creating your own workspace and how to divide your attention between business and family.
It also includes a CD-ROM with financial and legal worksheets.
Work at Home Now: The No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Your Perfect Home-Based Job, Avoiding Scams and Making a Great Living
Written by the authors of The 2-Second Commute, this book provides tips on using Google, Monster, Craigslist and Career Builder. According to their research, there is a 56 to 1 scam ratio for work at home jobs on these sites.
Using real examples, they help readers learn to sift through the verbiage and find the gems.
The authors also provide tips on interviewing from hiring managers and successful home entrepreneurs who have built careers at home with Fortune 500 companies such as American Express.
Making Money from Home: How to Run a Successful Home-Based Business
This book’s focus is comparing the “cost of working outside the home with the benefits of working at home” (www.amazon.com). In doing so, the book looks at the basics of a home business. Topics include:
- Time management
- How to create a solid business foundation
- Marketing tips for goods and services
- Using the internet effectively
- Creating a business plan
101 Businesses You Can Start with Less Than One Thousand Dollars Series
With a book for students, retirees and stay-at-home parents, the author provides a specific roadmap for each audience on how to start a business.
Each suggestion has an investment of less than a thousand dollars, with many less than one hundred dollars.
With web links, detailed instructions and examples, the book enables readers to create a business plan, address legal concerns and provides pricing formulas.
She also includes tips for publicity, sales and marketing technology and gives “low and no-cost ways to satisfy customers and build sales”.
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Tommy Jennings is a business administrator who contributed to the guide to the best online mba programs at BestCollegeReviews.com.