ALTERNATIVE BUSINESSES TO MAKE MONEY FROM

Hi people, I came across the article below and felt i should share it with us as a small deviation from our series.
It is on alternative businesses to make money from and a small piece on Multi-Level Marketing.
 If you have been looking for the MLM network to join please send me a mail on emakhiomheayo@yahoo.com and i will send you a list with site details.
Happy reading.

By Jon M. Taylor, Ph.D., Consumer Awareness Institute


Experienced entrepreneurs know that the best opportunities don’t come seeking you – you must search them out. In doing so, consider not only your interests and passions, but also what you have to offer in skills, natural talents, certification, and how these factors fit with real needs in the marketplace.

Books on small business opportunities are full of write-ups of the latest “hot” businesses of the 90’s. And small business “opportunity” web sites abound. But you will have to research them for yourself. A detailed discussion of the thousands of income options would require a massive research team many years to process – and it would never be finished because entrepreneurs are dreaming up new businesses daily.

Below are some categorical alternatives to the standard job market, which are fairly easy to get into, even from home. Some require a modest investment, and some require specialized training or licenses. Below this list are links to more details on specific income opportunities described or listed on this and other pages.

Computer services. Anyone who is technically proficient and willing to do some market research can usually find a niche that can be filled in this growing and futuristic field. Hundreds of opportunities present themselves to programmers, systems engineers, networking experts, repair and upgrade specialists – you name it. And of course, anyone can do data entry or word processing from home.







Internet sales and services. The Internet opened up the world to entrepreneurs and home workers like nothing before. Online clearing houses of information, specialized product outlets, auctions, and you-name-it are exploding on the Web. It really pays to gain expertise in web technology and resources –coupled with whatever specialized field interests you.

Home manufacturing. If you have developed a product that can be manufactured from home, such as clothing or gift items, calls to prospective retail outlets or attendance at a gift or craft show may get you started in business.

Agriculture-related. Resourceful growers specialize in niche markets overlooked by major farmers and ranchers, such as mushrooms, exotic fruits, organically grown vegetables, or unusual plants and flowers. Some start in back yards and grow to sizable businesses.

Repair and maintenance. While we are moving towards an increasingly high-tech society, persons who are skilled in keeping our computers and other gadgets in working order will always be in demand. Also, more routine maintenance of homes, yards, vehicles, and equipment will always be needed.

Teaching and consulting. Anyone who can teach skills or useful information on virtually any subject can sell that information in a variety of formats. Also, experts in a variety of fields offer consulting services on a fee basis. Many teachers and consultants leverage their time by teaching classes or consulting in groups.





Insurance. This field is particularly good for persons who want the independence of working their own hours—often from their homes. Successful insurance agents or brokers build up enough commissions from renewals year after year to provide a base of income much more secure than a salaried job can offer.

Real estate. While you can work from home, agents are always on call, since buyers tend to look when they are in the mood. The income of agents fluctuates widely, since they are essentially “unemployed” between sales. So two or three major commissions in one month may be followed b y no commissions for a couple of months. But hard work and persistence can fill the pipeline of prospects and even out the income stream considerably.

Other agency/broker/finder arrangements. Arrangements vary all over the map, but usually involve representing a company or a client for a fee or commission. Examples would include management search firms, travel agencies, domestic help agencies, collection agencies, contractor referrals, investigative services, and temporary help agencies.

Manufacturers representative. This is a person who can represent manufacturers to prospective retailers and can draw commissions for repeat business from the same customers year after year. Print sales reps also work this way.

Miscellaneous independent sales arrangements. Anyone who can learn to sell will always have work opportunities, regardless of economic class, race, education, age, or sex. The classified ads sections of newspapers are full of ads for people to sell a variety of goods and services. True, many are not very solid and most are for commissions only, but if you talk to enough of them, you might find something that appeals to you. Many sales people work successfully from their homes.





Telemarketing. This field has been dealt a major setback with recent FTC restrictions, but there are still pockets of opportunity within the new rules. But be careful – telemarketing scams abound. So programs sponsored by others, including fund-raising promoters, should be checked out very carefully.



Writing and other creative freelancing. Good writers, artists, and others with creative skills often work at home on a free-lance basis. Not only must you work on your writing skills, but you must develop marketing savvy and nourish contacts that will be vital to your success.



Mail order. Many people are more comfortable buying through the mail than going down to a busy shopping center. Mail order is a lot like fishing – you send out flyers or catalogs and wait to see who will bite. If your returns are good, you use the same bait. Otherwise, you try something else until you find what works. A big advantage of mail order is that it can be operated from home, and the whole family can be involved.

Importing and exporting. Anyone who likes to travel (and preferably speaks a foreign language) can find opportunities to bring products to and from the United States or other countries. This field promises to grow in the coming years as we move towards a world economy.

Job, career, and entrepreneurial services. Frequent layoffs, corporate downsizing, and the move toward temporary hiring and contract work have created new opportunities for some. These include career consultants, outplacement centers, self-marketing coaches, temporary help agencies, resume services, re-training centers, executive and technical search firms and clearinghouses, and services for entrepreneurs.

Child or adult day care. With the growth in number of mothers in the workforce, the demand remains high for day care services. And with the increase in the aging population, adult day care services and home health care is on the rise.





Construction. Persons skilled in a variety of building trades can usually find work on a subcontract basis. Some go on to become general contractors and coordinate the work of many subcontractors to complete both major and minor projects.

Franchisee or franchiser. Any of a large variety of products and services are offered on a franchise basis. Franchises offer an increased likelihood of success because the franchise package has been proven elsewhere, often in hundreds of places. If you are resourceful enough to develop a successful business that could be duplicated elsewhere, such as a novel restaurant, you can package it and franchise it to others.

Buying an existing business. This option removes a great deal of uncertainty for inexperienced persons seeking to get into a business of their own. Sometimes the seller will stay with the buyer long enough to train the buyer thoroughly in all aspects of the business, substantially reducing the risk of failure.

Other. Our list of income alternatives could go on and on – wholesaling and retailing, vending machines and services, pet care and grooming, health care and other professional services, advertising and public relations, catering, decorating, etc.

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UPDATE: An excellent article describing "Five Jobs that Let You Be Your Own Boss" appeared in MSN Careers April 28, 2008. Other articles for those with entrepreneurial inclinations are linked to the article. The five "jobs" are:

Graphic Web Designer - With the right web design programs, anyone can do this. But there's the rub - you have to be good to compete. Approximately one out of every four web designers work for themselves.

EBay Entrepreneur - There are over 600,000 EBay Power Sellers raking in over $1,000 a month, mostly from home. The market is huge: 276 million users span 39 global markets.

Financial Consultant - An estimated 35% are home-based CEO's, most with at least a bachelor's degree. Get a license and go for it.

Interior Designer - 26 % are self-employed and most have specialized training, such as a bachelor's degree in interior design.

Salesperson - Always open to those with the skills. The range of sales options range from prestigious high paying positions to flaky scams, so be careful and do lots of research before getting into it.

Another excellent article from MSN Money (February 6, 2009) discusses 52 ways to make extra money - and includes links for more information.

Thousands of additional articles on income options are available through a simple Google search.

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As you can see, we are really only limited by our creativity, skills, and resourcefulness. At the very least it’s safe to say that MLM is not the only game in town. Please read below for more specifics.

Before the Internet became popular, I drafted a proposal for a book on how to find or create an income opportunity that is tailored to the needs of the person seeking the income source. A publisher was enthused about the project, but I got busy with other things and set it aside. Now – especially with the number of online business opportunities that are literally exploding - it is time to take another look.

I did a Google search to see what might turn up and was astounded at the options. (Of course, many are duplicate pages on the same sites – and a huge percentage are MLM’s):

• “Home Business Opportunities” yielded 1,150,000 listings. That’s 1.15 million!

• When I entered “Income Opportunities” the search yielded 1,470,000 listings. That’s 1.4 million!

• “Business Opportunities” yielded 86,800,000 listings. That’s over 86 million!

• “Entrepreneurship” yielded 112,000,000 listings. That’s 112 million!

1. • “Work from Home” yielded 4,230,000,000 listings. That’s 4.2 trillion!

Somehow I don’t feel inclined to do a thorough analysis of all of these. But on the coming pages, let’s take a look at some listings of what might be considered legitimate income opportunities. Of course, most would require considerable research before proceeding. A lot of this information – and much, much more – can easily be obtained from a search of the Internet and/or from books available through Amazon.com and other sources.

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Starting a business from scratch can be tough and take years to get established. Often it is easier and much more profitable to buy the business of someone who is selling. Read our pointers on how to buy an existing business.

For alternatives that are sometimes safer, consider buying a franchise. Check out listings, information, and helpful links.

Examine listings of hundreds of specific income and business opportunities, some of which can be quite profitable. Also, read success stories and consider your own adaptations from Rich Sloan's "Home-based 100" on his web site – www.startupnation.com.

You can also find listings of sponsored "Work at Home" contract jobs. But be careful – anyone listing a sponsored income opportunity should be looked at very critically.

Consider samples of books and links that could be helpful in finding or starting a business. Information about hundreds of specific income options are described in additional books available from your local library or bookstore – or through online sources, such as – www.Amazon.com.

Read our own helpful advice for those seeking an income opportunity or successful self-employment.

Why we can safely say that so many income opportunities beat the odds of profiting in MLM/network marketing

If you have read the research that has been done recently on the profitability of chain selling programs (MLM, network marketing, 2-ups, etc.), you know that at least four separate independent investigations demonstrate that chain selling is a losing proposition for nearly all participants. To review this research in more detail, go to – www.mlm-thetruth.com

If you eliminate the "big winners" at the beginning of the chain or near the top of a hierarchy of tens of thousands of participants, approximately 99.9% of the “downline” of participants lose money. This abysmal loss rate is computed after all expenses are subtracted, including minimum purchases required to qualify for commissions or to advance in the scheme. (For more history on how these conclusions were derived by myself as the principle researcher and author, click here.)

Since nearly all MLM participants lose money, it is not difficult to come up with a list of income opportunities that are likely to be a lot more profitable that MLM. Here are some examples:

• Babysit.

• Tend or walk the neighbor’s dog

• Mow lawns

• Deliver newspapers

• Use a metal detector to find coins in vacant lots

• Search garbage for aluminum cans to sell for recycling

• Sit on the sidewalk and beg.

• Gamble in Las Vegas – or wage a $20 bet with typical MLM participants that none of their immediate upline showed a profit on their taxes last year from their MLM program. (Your odds of winning are at least 100 to one.)

• Et cetera

Anyway, you get the idea. There are lots of ways of earning money without wasting time and money and without exploiting your most valuable relationships in a chain selling program that will only lead to further financial loss.

© 2009-2010 Jon M. Taylor