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 Managing Editor, Wealth Builders Club
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+====== Extra Income Opportunity #8a: Understanding the Export-Import Business in India  ======
+Recently we sent you Mark Ford's essay on making money through import-export, and you were interested in knowing more about how the export-import industry works in India. And rightfully so, because this is a growing business both online and offline.
+You wanted to learn about the licenses you needed, required regulatory procedures, the shipping charges, the websites to go to, the payment modes, etc. So in this report we are providing a list of FAQs that will answer some of your queries.
+This essay is a starting point, and it leads you to many great additional resources you should refer to for details on the different areas we discuss. We found many useful online resources that have extensive information on export-import. There are dedicated websites dealing with the subject, even the Government of India has provided sufficient easy-to-read guidelines on the trade, all of which you will find here.
+From starting a business to choosing your preferred import-export products to how to market and sell, to how you can settle disputes, you will find most of the information you need in these resources.
+We also recommend that before you start your export-import business, you should consult your legal counsel or any other tax consultant or government agency. Forewarned is forearmed, so get all the procedures double-checked before you start.
+Before starting an import-export business
+A necessary pre-condition of import-export is to do ample research and to understand various trade guidelines in your own country, as well as those of the countries you’re dealing with. Foreign trade agreements are a good place to start. They tell you about all the rules and regulations, custom duties and waivers and eventually help you prepare a business plan.
+Another aspect that Jayden William writes about in his article Starting an import export business: Basic guide for beginners , is to evaluate your company's "export readiness". "Planning for export should be done only, if the company's assets are good enough for export. While planning an export strategy, it is always better to develop a simple, practical and flexible export plan for profitable and sustainable export business."
+Once that is done, the next step is to choose products that you would like to import or export.
+How to choose products
+Choosing a product is an important part of this business. While you can look at it as purely a business and merely conduct transactions, it helps if you inherently have an affinity for the products you're dealing in.
+One way to choose products is to find hot-sellers in different countries. These can be done by following government statistics, trade organizations like Chambers of Commerce of the different countries you're looking to work with or even some websites like InfoDriveIndia, EximPulse, Government of India's Department of Commerce, EximGuru.
+A good way is to understand the product before you start dealing in it. Find out its intricacies, its shelf-life, its handling, its packaging, the amount of storage space you'll need for it etc.
+The next step can be to make a list of all the probable products you would like to import or export. Then tick those that you feel match your strengths, either in your knowledge about it or in your ability to market it. For example, if you already know a network of people who would be interested in placing orders for a particular product, it helps get you initial business.
+If you have an existing business, try and import or export products that support the core rather than branching out too far. Your business experience will also help here.
+Some FAQs on Export-Import
+We directed some of the questions members had asked us to people who are already in the business. Here's a short QnA with Neha Agrawal who runs two ecommerce sites importing foreign products (Mumsbuddy.com) and promotes the sales of local handicrafts (Folkbridge.com).
+To import anything from outside the country does one need an import-export license. If yes, where can one procure the same?
+Yes, to import or export anything of commercial quantity / value we need to have an Import Export Code (IEC). The IEC can be procured from the concerned Regional Authority (RA) of Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
+(We will give you more details on EIC below.)
+How are the general practices for payments in this line?
+Followings are options for terms of payment:
+Advance Payment/ Part advance
+Letter of Credit (L/C)
+Documents against Payment (DP)
+Documents against Acceptance (DA)
+Telegraphic Transfer (TT)
+Mode of payment would always be through a banking channel, the general practice is around 30% advance and balance on receiving a scanned copy of the commercial invoice and *Bill of Lading (B/L)
+(*A bill of lading is a document issued by a carrier detailing out the shipment of the merchandise. It helps guarantee the receipt of payment from either party.)
+How are shipping charges calculated?
+Yes, air or sea freight are both typically pre-paid by importer. Freight is calculated based on gross or volumetric weight and port of pick-up and shipment. There can also be some unforeseen charges that an importer may have to bear once goods arrive at the destination. Examples of these charges are: Delivery Order charges (DO), Destination Terminal Handling Charges (THC), washing charges, container maintenance charges, service tax etc.
+Shipping charges for any single destination will vary from season to season, volume, frequency, transit time, gross weight etc. Before handing over cargo to shipping line, one should also negotiate with a different shipping line to compare prices. Our practical experience says that it is best to have clear commercial terms in writing.
+Do suppliers ship the product to your doorstep or are they picked up from a specific location?
+Both options are available - a supplier can book cargo for delivery up to your doorstep or you can pick it up from Container Freight Station (CFS)/ Inland Container Depot (ICD)/ airport. At times it is more convenient to ask a supplier to book cargo up to CFS/ ICD/ airport only, then appoint a reputed Custom Broker (CHA) who will arrange custom clearance and local transportation for delivery up to your doorstep.
+Do websites like Alibaba have a minimum purchase quantity and how can one procure lesser quantities?
+Not aware of any specific large players. We at Folkbridge are also working on this opportunity. So far our focus has been to supply Indian handicrafts for decor and gift needs to retail and bulk customers in India. However, we are also working to supply to overseas clients in smaller quantities at reasonable prices.
+(It is largely the prerogative of the wholesaler to decide how much the minimum quantity of import or export should be. Thus, negotiations and understanding between the two parties involved is a key determining factor for deciding terms.)
+Which online payment gateways are safe and reliable?
+Paypal has been a good experience for us so far.
+Does one need to start an escrow account for import-export of online/offline products?
+Recommended, but not necessary. One should undertake some due diligence through one’s banks/ other sources on a case-to-case basis.
+(Nowadays most importers and exporters are avoiding using an escrow account, the nature of the business does not require it.)
+What are the specific government regulations one needs to keep in mind?
+In the import-export business classification and valuation are most important, however additional conditions depend on the product. For example, if you are going to export a food product you need to have registration in the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and APEDA, if you want to export medicines/drugs, you need to have permission from the drug controller.
+Which countries are easy to work with?
+US, EU, Japan, Australia etc, but must be careful with African, Latin American and Gulf countries.
+(Each country has their own strengths and weaknesses, and each country has their own varied range of products. As trade is increasing globally, challenges and disputes are also getting resolved more easily.)
+Registration and documentation procedures in India
+(Excerpted from the website: www.howtoexportimport.com)
+Rental agreement / or own property: Once after forming a firm name, you need to have a rental agreement with the premise owner. This rental agreement may be required for various government authorities to register your address proof of the firm.
+PAN - Permanent Account Number: Here, if you are a sole proprietor of your firm, your individual PAN number is sufficient. However, if the firm is a partnership one, a separate permanent account number - PAN in the name of the firm is required to be obtained from the Income Tax Department.
+Interesting Facts on Import-Export in India
+Top 10 exporters to India: China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, USA, Switzerland, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Germany, Indonesia (Source)
+Top 10 importers from India: USA, UAE, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, U K, Germany, Brazil (Source)
+Top Exported Products from India: Cable, Cotton Yarn, Wool, Basmati Rice, Pharmaceuticals, Brass, Banana, Furniture, Onion, Tobacco, Frozen Food (Source)
+Top Imported Products in India: Aluminium, Plastic, Brass, Rubber, Finished Leather, Camera, Crude Oil, PVC, Resin, Fertilizer, Gear Machine, Printing Ink (Source)
+Partnership agreement: If your firm is engaged in a partnership, you need to a have a partnership agreement between partners with terms and conditions as per the Partnership Act. The complete details of terms and conditions among partners with the share of profits should be mentioned clearly in the agreement.
+Current account opening: Open an account with a bank that has effective export-import services and does not delay in crediting foreign exchange... preferably with a bank with exclusive international business.
+Import Export Code: If you need to export or import from India, you need to obtain an Import Export Code IEC from the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) within the jurisdiction office where your firm is situated. Without an IEC code, no movement of goods from/to the country is allowed.
+Registration with central excise department: If your products fall under excisable goods, you need to register with the nearest central excise department to claim necessary export excise benefits.
+Registration Cum Membership Certificate: Many government agencies support exporters at various levels to boost the export of the country and such agencies extend all support including financial support to exporters. To avail of such benefits, an exporter needs to register their product and obtain Registration Cum Membership Certificate from respective agencies.
+Registration with sales tax office: Exporters are eligible to claim sales tax benefits against exports. So after completion of necessary IE code procedures, register with the Sales Tax authorities under your jurisdiction area to obtain the necessary guidelines as an exporter or importer.
+Note: Before setting up an export-import firm in India, you may once again reconfirm the procedures and formalities with necessary government agencies.
+Some Useful Tips Before You Start
+(Excerpted from the essay: How to Start and Operate Your Own Profitable Import/Export Business At Home)
+You don't need previous experience in the field, but you should have a good head for organizing. Fulfilling a successful import-export business requires constant attention to little details.
+Take a look into the import-export business. Consider the risks, and consider the advantages. Talk to people in the business. Is it for you?
+An import-export agent is a matchmaker. Manufacturers of domestic goods seek foreign distribution; foreign manufacturers want a local market.
+Start small - don't tackle the world. Find out about the countries, what they have to offer, and what is generally in demand.
+Keep informed. Read everything you can find about world trade. Look at trade publications, international newspapers, news magazines, and financial reports. Who is selling what to whom?
+You will become more familiar with the terms of shipping used in quoting prices and delivering goods as you gain experience. Your responsibilities vary with the terms of the agreements and orders.
+A freight forwarder is a person who takes care of the important steps of shipping the merchandise. This person quotes shipping rates, provides routing information, and books cargo space.
+Never work on promises. Not only do you take a gigantic risk, but you create bad risks for everyone you are involved with.
+Importing requires the same diligence and follow-up as exporting does. Investigate the reputation of the manufacturer and the reliability of the goods.
+The profit of the import-export business is in the quantity of the goods traded. The higher the cost of the merchandise, the higher the profit from your percentage.
+Don't be hasty for orders. Investigate the manufacturers and distributors to be sure the products and sales methods are reputable.
+The import-export business is not for everyone. But it is a personal operation that you can run yourself - you don't have to answer to anybody.
+While this article shows you how to start an import-export business of your own, if you wish to start small you could also explore the possibility of selling products online, through import agents who handle all aspects of the import process, and leave you relatively free to simply focus on the selling.
+Either way, we see this is as a booming extra-income opportunity that you may not wish to miss out on.
+Resources
+http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/feb/22/cameron-india-trade-exports-imports-partners
+http://www.smetimes.in/smetimes/in-depth/2012/Jan/29/starting-import-export-business-basic-guide-beginners56632.html
+>http://www.foreign-trade.com/reference/impexp.htm
+http://howtoexportimport.com/How-to-set-up-an-export-import-firm-in-India-ndash-398.aspx
+http://www.startupfreak.com/how-to-apply-for-importer-exporter-code-online/
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 Best,
 Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #9a: The Internet Marketing Retirement Guide ======
+Dear Reader,
+The Extra Income essay you received from Bob Bly - Enter the World of Information Marketing - Make Money Selling What You Know is a brilliant idea for us here in India.
+What's happening now is that most people are turning to international sites and sources for information because finding India-specific information - for Indians by Indians, so to speak - is not easy.
+There is huge potential here. In spite of the increasing prevalence of Indians getting on the Internet for their learning needs, and a saturation of free information available, there is a lack of information authored by respected sources in the field... and consumers are willing to pay a fair price to get access to knowledge.
+So take what you know, get out there, and start marketing your information.
+And to help you get started, Bob is sharing with you this free special report (or 30-Day Launch Protocol as we usually call it) that is co-authored with Fred Gleeck, information marketing expert, better known on the Internet as the King of Content.
+In this 150-page report, they take you through each step of setting up your information marketing business.
+Topics include:
+Instructions for creating your first product
+How to find what information people are looking for
+How to create audio CDs
+Ways to increase sales
+How to handle guarantees and refunds
+And much more.
+To access this report, please click here.
+To sharing knowledge and building businesses,
+Anisa Virji
+Managing Editor, Wealth Builders Club
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #10: Service Businesses ======
+Today, we are going to talk about a very different type of income opportunity. It's not at all exciting, and the income potential is limited. But it has one very important virtue. It is perhaps the easiest way I know to generate significant and reliable extra income.
+Easy matters. Many people can't get themselves going with our Extra Income Projects because they are intimidated to try something new. Other people are willing to start, but the marketing stalls them.
+If you've read the previous essays and have been thinking that you don't have 'what it takes" to become a photographer or a copywriter or an importer of Chinese goods or a publisher of e-books, etc., this might be the opportunity for you.
+I am talking about starting a service business.
+A service business is a company that... well... performs a service. That can include anything from fixing toasters to cutting hair. But I'm going to talk about a certain kind of service business - the most boring and repetitive type of service business that exists.
+I would like you to consider starting a company that performs routine homeowner services such as cleaning, repairs, indoor gardening, carpet cleaning, etc.
+As I said, there are many kinds of service businesses. Plumbing, for example. Or carpentry. Or house painting. Or fixing toasters or lamps, etc.
+But those types of services have costs and challenges that make them tougher in some ways. Fixing toasters, for example, requires retail space. Being a plumber or a house painter does not, but those sorts of jobs are demanding in another way.
+You are always working on a unique job with particular problems and a particular customer. Also, you are always looking for new customers - even if you have developed a great reputation and get lots of referrals.
+You can certainly make a decent living running one of these types of businesses full-time. Tens of thousands of people do.
+But the Extra Income Project is about part-time freelance opportunities. So I'll be discussing this kind of business based on the assumption that, after getting it going, you will be working on it only 2-10 hours per week.
+The Monkey Factor
+The kind of service business I'm talking about is not rocket science. As I said above, it may be the easiest kind of business there is. Whether you are mowing a lawn, cleaning carpets, trimming trees, or painting windows, the skill level is relatively low. And the repetition is high.
+I haven't absorbed all the info you've provided, but you've given me confidence that I can drive my future, rather than sit by the roadside waiting for what might pass my way. I am in a much better, safer, financial position than I was a year ago. Thank you. Subscriber J.N.
+In my meaner days, I called these 'monkey businesses." As in, 'You can train a monkey to do work like this."
+But that's a good thing. Because once you learn the basics (not hard at all), you can hire and train monkeys (or their human equivalents) to do the actual work for you. That is why I say that this business can be managed working only 2-10 hours per week.
+It probably won't surprise you to learn that I have some experience with this type of business. (I try to never write about stuff I know nothing about.)
+The first real business I owned was called Reliable Pools. Peter (my real estate partner today) and I installed aboveground pools for homeowners on Long Island. We began by doing it ourselves, but within weeks we had a crew working for us.
+We made great money during the spring and summer managing those crews. But since every job was different, our crew always called on us to solve problems on the job. (This is the same kind of problems you'll face if you get into plumbing, remodelling, or painting.) But during the fall and spring we developed a secondary business that turned out to be much better.
+That was the business of 'winterizing" and 'summerizing" the pools we built. Winterizing meant setting them up for the cold - draining some of the water, putting a cover on the pool, etc. Summerizing meant filling up the pool and taking off the cover.
+As you might imagine, it took us less than a half hour to winterize or summerize a pool. Still, we were able to charge good money for doing so. And we rarely had to be on the job, because our monkeys could easily do the work we'd trained them to do.
+This is a little understood, but crucial aspect of the idea I'm presenting to you. We want you to find a service business that has this monkey factor, because it means you won't have to be working full-time to make good money.
+The Downsides
+Boredom is the No. 1 problem with these kinds of businesses. But you will be able to get over the boredom once you are working only a few hours per week while raking in lots of dough.
+The next biggest problem with a repetitive business is embarrassment. When people ask you how you are making all the extra money, you may be ashamed to tell them exactly what you are doing. They might laugh at you behind your back. But you will be laughing, as they say, all the way to the bank.
+Let's Start With Car Cleaning
+The most obvious kind of service business and one of my favourites is the car cleaning service. Although it's a round-the-clock business across the country, it is easy to enter and make a profit quickly.
+The demand for car cleaning services is high and growing. As the number of cars owned by each family is growing and as the time spent at home by most individuals is reducing, this seems to be a growing need for many.
+Who's driving this growth? The many young professionals who don't have the time to do any cleaning, or they have no interest in doing it. But they want well-maintained cars, and prefer to engage professional service companies instead of individuals. Additionally, nowadays, building complexes, and office buildings hire professional services to clean cars in their garage as well.
+These trends make a convincing argument that car cleaning is one appealing service business option. Moreover, it doesn't require any specialized training, and the start-up costs are low. The business model promotes repeat business, and it's relatively easy to expand from car cleaning to residential cleaning to other profitable services, including basic car servicing, minor dent fixing and repairs. One great example is a very successful website in India called TimeSaverz.com. It includes a myriad of services from cleaning cars to residential cleaning services to repairs and plumbing and electricity, bringing multiple service providers together under one roof.
+If it's that simple, why isn't everyone doing this?
+Not everyone can handle the stringent demands of the job, which include understanding the finer nuances of different cars, what areas need to be paid more attention to while cleaning and what cleaning products are to be used for different materials, interiors etc. All these areas need a little study and some patience. But if you're a disciplined self-starter who cares about cleanliness, and is looking for an easy way to start business, a car cleaning service could be the extra income ticket for you.
+What Can I Make?
+It's difficult to pinpoint exactly how much you can make because there are so many variables that can impact your profitability. But there's money for you to make in the cleaning industry. In fact, in many ways, the earning potential is unlimited.
+You could make anywhere from Rs 1000 plus per detailed car wash and additionally add other services like polishing, dent-fixing, etc. Even if you had each of your people clean only thirty-forty cars per week, that translates to about 1-2 lac rupees per person coming in each month.
+Getting Started
+When starting out, you should limit your focus to the basics of the car cleaning business - vacuum cleaning, air freshening, polishing, waxing etc. Doing so will enable you to keep your start-up costs low.
+The majority of those start-up costs will go toward the purchase of equipment. The temptation to spend large sums of money for a line-up of equipment to rival your biggest competitor will be great. Don't do it!
+Simply buy the minimum amount of equipment needed to do the job for your first few cars-a good used vacuum cleaner, polishes, cleaning solutions, carpet brushes, air fresheners, etc.
+Pay cash. Don't finance anything.
+Plan on spending about Rs 1-2 lac for commercial-grade equipment.
+In this article, How to Start a Car Cleaning Business, Shanika Chapman says:
+Attend an auto detailing training course to learn proper cleaning techniques and care for vinyl, plastic, leather and chrome, as well as the difference between polishes and waxes, and carpet cleaning techniques. Learn how to touch up paint, remove swirls, scratches, oxidation, fading and overspray and repair dents. It may behoove you to undergo training in windshield repair, headlight restoration and other car repair services, depending on the scope of your small business.
+You'll also need to spend a few thousand rupees on buying gloves, masks and any other protection equipment you and your employees will need to wear while cleaning.
+A car cleaning service is your best bet for success. Remember, two-thirds of the revenues generated come from residential customers. Cleaning a car is easier and faster than working on homes or office spaces, but that can be the next step too.
+In your first year, your goal should be 20-30 residential clients per week. How much your competition charges will be a large factor in deciding how much you should charge. You can get an idea of how much to charge by having two or three competitors give you a quote to clean your own car.
+'Poorly run companies drive themselves out of business-literally!-by driving miles across town to do one job and then drive back," Hutchins wrote. The high cost of gas erodes any profits you generate.
+So when you take up one job in an area, try to couple it with two-three more. That way you earn more and justify the cost of fuel and labour.
+There Are Many Other Choices
+There are all sorts of other service businesses that meet the criteria we are looking for. They include carpet cleaning, pool service, baby proofing homes, window cleaning, etc.
+Let's take a quick look at how these kinds of businesses meet our Extra Income Project opportunity requirements:
+Anyone should be able to do it (it's simple and easy to understand)
+Being able to start it from home
+Work part-time or on weekends
+Begin without investing a ton of money
+Do the service businesses we mention so far fit? They sure do. With service businesses such as lawn care, carpet cleaning, baby-proofing homes, or window cleaning, anyone can do it (no major schooling or educational requirements). You can begin many with an investment of less than Rs. 1 lac.
+And it's simple monkey factor work. Once you've hired a crew, you'll rake in the cash working 2-10 hours per week.
+The only criteria it doesn't strictly adhere to is doing it from home. When you start, you'll have to travel to client locations. But you should be able to quickly hire a crew and then manage the operation from home. Even then, it would be good practice to keep personal contact with each client. Developing relationships with your clients will go a long way.
+Free Marketing Options for Any Service Job
+Marketing for service businesses can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. There are ample free services you can utilize to market your new business. Here are just a few:
+Justdial - you can post a detailed description of your services, give estimates, offer discounts for mentioning the ad, while focusing on a very specific region.
+Door-to-door-a lot can be accomplished through personal contact with prospected clients. Many people think they can't afford such services but are pleasantly surprised when you present them with a proposal. Even if they decline, as long as you present yourself well, they may refer you to their friends.
+Friends and family-there's a good chance you have friends or family who need your service immediately. They can also be a huge help in spreading the word about your new business.
+Car dealers -it is common practice for car dealers to recommend to their clients to use professional services to maintain their fleet of cars.
+Bulletin boards-every local town or city office, coffee shop, hardware store, restaurant, and community service usually has a place for locals to post ads. These are great places to get your business exposure.
+Parking lots-simply placing fliers under the windshield wipers of cars parked at the local stores can produce a decent amount of prospects.
+The big idea here is that this kind of business attracts new clients by word of mouth. All you have to do is provide a better level of service than average. Any smart and diligent person can do this.
+You canvass local areas and offer freebies. When you do a good job for free, people feel compelled to hire you at least once. If your prices are reasonable, they will keep you on.
+The All  Time Best Way to Get (and Keep) a Customer
+By Paul Lawrence, contributor to Early to Rise
+If you can't sell your product or service, you don't have a business. Plain and simple. Your primary concern has to be making sales. Even if you have a good product or service-one that is in demand-you can't force people to buy from you.
+The customer has the advantage. And if she wants to ignore you and spend her money elsewhere, you can't stop her. But what you can do is give her a reason to choose you over your competitors.
+As a small-business owner, you don't have a whole lot of business-building tools at your disposal. In terms of resources, a small business just can't stand up to a mega-corporation. But you don't need a lot of money or employees to find-and keep-customers. You just need a few easy-to- come-by strategies.
+In fact, being small can actually work to your advantage when it comes to one of the all-time best strategies: establishing a relationship with each customer. It can:
+Get the customer to trust you enough to take the chance of doing business with you that first time
+Build loyalty-so the customer wants to continue to buy from you rather than your competitors
+Get the customer to refer you to other potential customers.
+You develop relationships with your customers the same way that you do in your personal life. In big part, that means caring for them.
+Think about the people you consider friends. Aren't they people you genuinely care about-and who seem to genuinely care about you?
+And think about your relationships with companies-big and small-that you deal with on a fairly regular basis
+You must admit that it's awfully hard to believe that the mega - corporations - General Motors, for example - care about you. They are nameless, faceless conglomerates. It's a lot easier to believe that your local car salesman has a sincere interest in you.
+After all, he lives in your community. His kids go to school with your kids. You meet him face-to-face when you step into his dealership. That's why, unlike General Motors, he can-if he chooses-establish real, caring long- term relationships with you and his other customers.
+And that's why you, too, will have any easy time proving to your customers that you are concerned about them and their problems... and that you're there to help.
+With blogs and social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, there are more ways than ever to communicate with your customers-and to allow them to actually interact with you. Meanwhile, try this classic three-step method for establishing those all-important customer relationships:
+Focus on a narrow niche market.
+I publish informational programs for wannabe entrepreneurs who want to start up and run one or more businesses on a shoestring. Since I'm not trying to cater to all entrepreneurs, I can focus specifically on what my customers want and need. Because it is obvious that I am devoting my time and energy to helping only people like them, it is clear that I sincerely care about their success.
+Customers will believe that you genuinely care about them when they have a reasonable basis for that belief. By specializing in delivering a product or service that is aimed directly at them, you take an immediate step in that direction.
+Take the time to understand your customers and their problems.
+Only by putting yourself in your customers' shoes-taking the time to figure out not only their wants and needs but also their worries, fears, and hopes-can you develop products or services that will truly help them.
+When you do that-when you give them something that will make their lives better or easier in some way-you're sending a very strong message that you care. This is especially true if you continue to develop new products or services for them.
+I've got a catalog of about a dozen different programs that I offer my customers-covering a wide range of businesses they can get into with little capital or experience. That way, I'm able to give them exactly what they're looking (and hoping) for.
+Make your promotional messages personal.
+Building close relationships with customers is all about communicating on a personal level (as it is with family and friends). That's true of any direct contact you may have with your customers in person or over the phone- and it's just as true of the indirect contact you have with them in your marketing materials.
+Here are a few suggestions for making your sales copy more personal:
+Write your sales message in a conversational tone, as if you're talking to a friend. For example, instead of saying 'This business program can help entrepreneurs earn substantial profits," say 'You know that new car you've had your eye on? Well, check out this program. It will help you get it."
+Share information about yourself. When people feel that they know you, they're more inclined to trust you and want to do business with you.
+In my marketing copy, I frequently admit what a slow starter I was... how I was in my late 20s and pretty much broke before I started my first successful business. When my prospective customers hear things like that about me, they sympathize with what I went through. And that makes them feel closer to me.
+Be honest. Say what you really think, not what you think your customers want to hear.
+For instance, instead of sugarcoating my sales pitch, I come right out and tell my prospects to stop feeling sorry for themselves... to stop blaming their past failures on bad luck and, instead, to take responsibility for whether they will succeed or fail in the future.
+I'm sure that turns a lot of people off. But, hey, you can't please everyone. And those who see things your way will become profoundly loyal to you- and rightfully so.
+You can't pretend to be someone you're not. Your sincerity-or insincerity -will always shine through.
+These three steps will help you quickly establish real rapport with your customers. And not only will they willingly pull out their credit cards to make that first purchase... they will be loyal customers for years.
+Getting Started the Smart Way
+But before you start any marketing, you need a business plan.
+A key to success is having a plan to reach your goals. And every good business plan is a work in progress. This means adapting based on knowledge you acquire while getting ready to launch. You'll probably have to tweak your plan quite a few times before it's perfected.
+Starting a business can be fairly easy, but to ensure success, you need to have the necessary groundwork in place to give the business a fighting chance.
+Businesses don't grow and become profitable by accident. There are reasons why they succeed.
+Here are some of the steps to follow:
+Get organized-every successful business is well organized.
+Keep detailed records-this allows you to track finances and potential challenges you may face.
+Know your competition-study them and learn what makes them successful.
+Understand the risks versus the rewards-making calculated risks can help your business grow, but be careful... know the downside.
+Creativity will help separate you from the pack. It will give you an edge on your competitors.
+Don't lose focus-just because you started a business doesn't mean you'll immediately make money.
+Be ready to make sacrifices-an example would be possibly working longer hours, which leaves less time with your family.
+The service you provide must be the best-this will help create repeat business and will lead to a lot of referrals.
+Be consistent-doing the things that help make you money need to be constant. That's how you'll succeed in the long run.
+These are just a few factors to consider. Do your homework and you'll be just fine.
+How to Hire and Keep Good Workers
+We don't really want monkeys. We want people who are willing to work hard for Rs 1000 per day. But you do need motivated crew chiefs. You motivate this kind of crew chief by letting him take a piece of the profits.
+Thank you so much for the invaluable information we receive from Mark and the WBC team! We've been given new hope for our futures and have put to good use the information we receive. Subscriber S.T.
+The kind of employee you hire will have a huge impact on the long-term success of the business. Great people make all the difference.
+Employees who are tenacious and self- motivated will help take your company to the next level.
+It's important that prospective employees understand your goals. In turn, it's important to know their goals. This will help you reach your goals while helping the employees achieve their own. A relationship that is beneficial to both parties will go a long way.
+A healthy working environment that workers enjoy will increase productivity. Adequate employee compensation goes a long way. It will make the employee feel like they are an integral part of the company's operation.
+Acknowledging hard work when an employee is doing a good job motivates them. It's important to recognize a job well done immediately. This reinforces their hard work.
+Manage people to their strengths. Utilizing tools that give insight into personality profiles and a person's unique abilities will maximize an employee's strengths. This increases productivity and results in good employee morale.
+Give employees some freedom. Letting employees choose the projects they work on and enjoy the most will boost productivity.
+Reward great work. You should always make sure employees know you appreciate them and that you notice their hard work.
+Treat employees the way you'd want to be treated. This is self-explanatory. Employees are people just like you, so don't treat them like a number.
+Let employees speak up. Allowing employees to take initiative will help create a great team. This, in turn, will help your company grow.
+Always be on the lookout for quality employees. The recruitment process never stops.
+Hire passionate people. Not hiring individuals who are bossy, prima donnas, or clock-watchers is key. This will create a healthy work environment.
+Look for people who will be a good fit. Make sure the employee fits your values and culture and really gets your business.
+Be able to work with employees' schedules. Being flexible helps in making a loyal employee.
+Finally, hire self-starters. These people have drive and see value in building their own careers. Another factor that will help your business grow.
+Four Aspects of Entrepreneurial Success:
+Every entrepreneurial business-regardless of what stage of growth it is in -needs four personalities at the helm:
+A seller: someone to market the product/service
+An improver: someone to improve the product/service
+An organizer: someone to make sure things go smoothly
+A pusher: someone to get people to do what they are supposed to do.
+When you begin your business, if you don't have a partner, you may have to handle all of these functions. As your business grows, you will probably hire people to take on most of them-but at least during the first two stages and probably longer (my book Ready, Fire, Aim goes into great detail about this), you should be in charge of one of them.
+Which one should it be?
+To me, the most important job of any entrepreneur-and the one role you should not give up as your business grows is the seller. You should always be in charge of marketing your product/service.
+For more on this, get my book Ready, Fire, Aim... it's a must-read for any burgeoning entrepreneur.
+This Is Just the Beginning
+I've told you about the service industry in a general sense. As an example, I also went into the car cleaning industry in great depth.
+But all service-based businesses are very similar in nature. The way you'll start your business, hire the right employees, market your service, and manage the business will all be similar.
+To give you a better understanding of the opportunities that the service industry offers, the Wealth Builders Club Team has put together a special report: Extra Income From Service Businesses... and Our New Ranking System.
+This will give you a good idea as to what service or services you may be interested in. You'll also learn about our new ranking system for these criteria:
+Income potential
+Size of the opportunity
+Skill barriers
+Capital barriers
+And freedom.
+This free report will reach you in a few days.
+Start earning an extra income with a service business now.
+Best,
+Mark
 ====== Special Report: Extra Income From Service Businesses ======
@@ Line 4060: / Line 4571: @@
 Mark
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #11: Make Money Writing Grant Proposals ======
+The universe of grants is huge. A grant is nothing more than a gift of money, usually substantial, to a recipient - either an individual or organization - for a purpose specified in the grant request and award.
+And the organizations or individuals who apply for grants often hire freelancers to write their grant applications or proposals. You can you earn a handsome wage writing grant proposals. Plus, you can help worthy causes get much-needed funding.
+VR is a California writer who has helped her clients secure more than $155 million from federal, state, and private funding sources over the past decade.
+In Mumbai, RB helps NGOs draft their proposals for foundations and other companies with a corpus set aside for CSR or corporate social responsibility. She has helped one such NGO secure Rs 10 lac in one year alone.
+MN began writing grants on a volunteer basis for local nonprofits. Once she had the experience, she offered her grant writing services to nonprofits on a paid basis.
+CS wrote her first grant proposal 10 years ago. Her proposal received $1 million. Since then, she has written over 300 grants submitted to federal and state government agencies and private and public foundations.
+While in India, KT approaches several foundations as an independent consultant and instead of working and taking money from the NGO, he bills the foundation whose format and language he is already familiar with. In this way, he has helped disseminate more than Rs 2 crore from foundations for the effective running of 10-15 NGOs. And more than the money, he is also excited by the learning he gets from how the NGO sector is growing in India.
+In the U.S., "funders" - private foundations, corporations, and government agencies - give away around $24 billion in grants annually. These grants can range from a couple of thousand dollars to well over $1 million. In 2011, funders awarded a total of 149,518 grants to 56,970 recipients. This means a number of recipients apply for - and win - multiple grants.
+This trend seems to be replicated in India too. The CSR Policy under the Companies Act 2013, effective from April 2014, has made companies rethink their approach and they are now increasingly looking at ways to involve themselves more deeply with the NGO sector.
+While some are starting nonprofits of their own, many are continuing to support existing NGOs and are taking their causes forward. But they do conduct a due diligence and get a complete picture about the various initiatives undertaken by an NGO and its impact. And that's where the role of the grant writer comes into being.
+The publishers of Foundation Directory, an online source of information on funders and grants, lists more than 120,000 foundations and corporate donors that award grants.
+In India, websites like Give India and Help Your NGO are portals that successfully link donors with NGOs.
+Is Freelance Grant Writing for You?
+As I remind you in each of these articles, when Mark began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They determined the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well grant writing passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+The only skill you need for grant writing is the ability to write clearly and persuasively. Refer to the resources at the end of this essay. They will help you master the particular format of grant writing - no courses required.
+If you are a good writer, grant writing may be an ideal extra income opportunity for you. If you need a little help, find a place that teaches persuasive writing. We recommend American Writers and Artists Inc.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+Grant writing is a specialized type of freelance writing, and most freelance writers work from home. There is no need to rent an office space. You contact your clients through phone, fax, courier, and e-mail.
+Third: You can choose to work part-time or on the weekends.
+You can work part-time as a grant writer (or as any kind of freelance writer, for that matter). You can take on as much or as little work as you like. And with a laptop and an Internet connection, you can work from almost anywhere.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of start-up capital.
+Freelance writing has the lowest start-up costs of any home business. All you need is a computer, an Internet connection, and a telephone. I recommend using a separate room in your house as a dedicated office.
+But when I started freelancing in 1982 and lived in a tiny studio apartment, everything was in one room, and it was livable.
+And fifth: You should be able to ideally start making Rs 15,000-25,000 per grant proposal.
+Rates vary depending on the client, project, and experience of the writer, from around Rs 5,ooo per grant on the low end to as much as Rs 25,000 on the high end. The most typical fee arrangement is to keep track of your time and the effort put into each grant.
+Getting Started in Grant Writing
+To get started as a grant writer, you need to learn the format for grant proposals. Each funder strictly defines its guidelines for grant proposals. This structure makes grant writing a type of formula writing. Funders typically eliminate grant requests that do not adhere to their guidelines.
+If an organization cannot follow clear, predictable instructions, how can it be trusted to carry out its programs or fulfill the requirements of the grant? In short, if a funder specifies that pages, budgets, or attachments be formatted a certain way, you must format the grant exactly as requested.
+Even at 84, I feel like there is a world of opportunity out there. I don't know how to thank you enough for all of your help, instruction, and encouragement. Club member E.B.
+The formula for grant proposals follows a fairly universal format called the Common Grant Proposal (CGP). The elements of a CGP are as follows:
+A cover letter that introduces your client, summarizes its mission, and explains the program for which you seek funding.
+A cover sheet that lists required information, including the application date, the nonprofit's legal name, year founded, current annual operating budget, and information for the contact person.
+An executive summary with a brief description of the project, its importance, and why this particular funder should fund this particular project.
+A narrative that includes any additional information you think is important and may sway the funder to make a decision in your favour.
+The nonprofit's mission statement, goals and objectives, history, current programs, accomplishments, and affiliations with other organizations.
+A section that describes the program's design and sustainability. You need to explain the long-term plans for paying for the program - how it will operate once the grant runs out.
+The expected outcomes of receiving the grant and the specific criteria you will use to measure success.
+When you get your first client, ask to see examples of past grant proposals. Explain that you want a sense of what did or did not work for them. The client doesn't need to know that you are a newbie grant writer and want the old proposals to familiarize yourself with the grant proposal format. Continue doing this even as you build clients. It will help you gain more insight.
+Getting the Word Out
+The toughest aspect to any self-employment endeavour is finding customers. Nonprofit decision-makers often work closely with for-profit and local government decision-makers, as well as those of other nonprofits. You are as likely to run into a nonprofit executive at a Chamber of Commerce meeting as you are to meet any other businessperson.
+Your networking should include a variety of events, memberships, and organizations.
+Join the Chamber of Commerce, attend all of its functions, personally visit nonprofit organizations, and network regularly. Find out what organizations nonprofit managers belong to and join those as well. Visit with them at organization-sponsored meetings and events.
+Find out who belongs to the local Lions Club, Rotary Club, and other service and social organizations. Join as many as you can.
+You can get this information by being forthright in your intentions. Simply ask people who work for nonprofits where you might meet people interested in your grant writing services.
+Attend all fundraising events in your community, pass out your cards, and collect other people's cards. Take advantage of free advertising sources like physical bulletin boards, flyers that offer free classifieds, Chamber mailings, and brochure space.
+Mail brochures or postcards, build a Website to promote your work, start a newsletter and mail or e-mail it to prospective clients. Several websites like the Government of India one, India.Gov.in, NGOs India, Sphere India and GuideStar India will help you find a list of all the NGOs registered in your city. This might double as both a source for your client prospect list and your funder list.
+Issue press releases or even a series of articles to local newspapers and community magazines. Hand out your business cards to everyone you meet.
+Someone may be affiliated with a nonprofit.
+Post ads on Freelance India, register at freelance sites like Freelancer, Quickr or Guru and Freelance Writing Organization-Int'l for international assignments.
+Most sites offer free registration and various levels of access to jobs that you can bid on. Basic levels are usually free but offer less accessibility. Paid levels vary depending on the services you choose. You may even have to pay a fee for each job you get, ranging from 5-30%, plus PayPal or other money transfer fees.
+I just can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate all that you are doing. The Wealth Builders Club might just be the most important publication out there today. Club member K.W.
+Do pro bono (voluntary) work, or work at a reduced rate to get your foot in the door. Ask to assist other writers who may be overloaded and looking for someone to help out.
+If you know what funding opportunities are available and are familiar with the nonprofit programs in your area, you can use that knowledge when you approach potential clients.
+But don't just hand over too much of that information to your prospects. Give them a reason to contact you for more information.
+Newsletters are a wonderful way to convey that you are the go-to person for grant funding. This can establish you as an expert in the field long before you would otherwise gain that reputation.
+Long-term contracts are great for ensuring steady income. But spreading yourself out across many short-term projects will reap a broad range of experience in a short period of time, and a larger number of clients and exposure. Do a good job and you'll earn a good reputation and some free advertising via word-of-mouth.
+What to Do Next
+Your key task at this point is to familiarize yourself with the standard grant proposal format. One good book for grant writers is Grant Writing for Dummies by Dr. Beverly Browning. It's well organized and covers many tips, warnings, and good advice that other books miss.
+Another book by this author, Perfect Phrases for Writing Grant Proposals , describes how to sell your program and its achievements, how to describe your goals, and which supporting documents you should include, along with more insider secrets.
+The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need: Top Grant Writers and Grant Givers Share Their Secrets by Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox offers tips from successful grant writers as well as from grant makers.
+A book that includes proposal samples, The Art of Grantwriting by Wendy H. Anderson, should be in any start-up library.
+Once you have read through books on proposal writing, you will know the ground rules for developing a proposal. Reading the books exposes you to other writers' experiences, mistakes, and secrets of success.
+This will give you the confidence to complete your first proposals. An excellent resource to find books and links relating to fundraising, grant writing, free fundraising kits, and much more is Fundsnet Services.
+Clients will likely rely on you not only to write their proposals, but also to find the funders for them. That's where this business gets even more lucrative. Just like any other for-profit marketing deal, you could also negotiate a percent of the revenue earned. And many NGOs oblige because it's a more viable option for them than hiring someone full-time.
+So put pen to paper, earn some money and do good all at the same time.
+Best,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #12: Make Money As a Voice-Over Artist ======
+Some days it seems that Morgan Freeman or Amitabh Bachchan narrate about 90% of everything ever recorded - movies, documentaries, and radio and TV commercials.
+But in truth, ordinary people like you and me narrate most radio and TV commercials. And in this month's extra income opportunity, you'll learn how you can make as much as Rs. 12-15 lac per year or more as a "voice-over (VO) specialist." As a VO specialist, you lend your voice to selling everything from fans and Fevicol, to furniture and cars.
+Potential clients for your VO services include talent agencies, ad agencies, casting directors, production houses, local small businesses, and medium- and large-size corporations. For instance, if you are an Apple customer who hears Siri speak over your iPhone, you are hearing the voice of a voice-over professional. Another famous voice-over of the Internet age is AOL's "You've got mail."
+"Be creative in your thinking as to who could use your talents as a voice-over artist," says VO professional and coach Neeraj M. For instance, a local jewellery shop paid a friend of Neeraj's to do its on-hold phone messages - and he got the gig because he asked for it.
+As a VO pro, you could lend your vocal cords to radio spots, TV commercials, movie trailers, and cartoons. Business presentations, telephone system recordings, podcasts, and even video games also all use VO pros. Longer assignments might include audio books, training videos, and narration for documentaries... if Amitabh Bachchan is otherwise occupied.
+Is Voice-Over Work for You?
+As I remind you in each of these articles, when Mark began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They determined the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well being a voice-over professional passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+The late Don LaFontaine, arguably the most in-demand and successful VO artist of recent vintage, had a distinctive voice. It was so recognizable that stand-up comic Pablo Francisco parodied LaFontaine in his routines. But you can still make a good living in voice-overs without Fontaine's dulcet tones.
+In India, the late Mohammad Rafi was considered Hindi cinema's greatest voice, where he could modulate his voice as per the persona of the artist who was lip-syncing.
+"Believe it or not, having a ‘great' voice is not the most important factor when it comes to being a successful voice talent," says Bill DeWees, a successful voice-over specialist and coach earning six figures. "From a performance standpoint, it's about being a great communicator and storyteller." Bill's coaching site for aspiring VO artists is www.voice-over-training.org.
+Bill says you can lack a stand-out voice and still give a compelling performance. "Having a great voice doesn't hurt; it's just not critical," says DeWees. "If you communicate for a living... such as being a teacher, salesperson, preacher, or speaker of any sort... chances are you're closer to a career in voice-overs than you may think."
+Similarly, Indian voice artist and coach Anil Mani of VoiceBazaar.com says, "One needn't be afraid of having a thin voice or a deep voice, what matters is the nature of the topic you're lending your voice to." Anil feels every voice will ultimately find its niche market.
+Top VO artist Swati G agrees. "It takes much more than a great sounding voice to be successful in voice-overs. You also need the ability to take someone else's words - the script - and make them sound as believable and sincere as if they were your own."
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.In the 1990s, the business model for VO specialists required talent agency representation and the flexibility to travel to a studio during business hours for auditions and actual work.
+Today, VO specialists audition and work from home. "You no longer have to travel to the client's place of business," says Neeraj M of VoiceArtistes.com, noting that many voice-over artists record at simple home studios.
+Third: You can choose to work part-time or on the weekends.
+You can definitely work part-time as a voice-over artist. At the beginning, you may have to, because you won't have enough projects to fill your schedule.
+Plus, your hours are your own. As long as the client gets the digital recording on time, he doesn't care when you record it - business hours, evenings, or even weekends.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of start-up capital.
+The start-up costs are low. All you need is your voice and a minimally outfitted home recording studio. This you can equip for less than
+Rs. 20,000. You can buy the gear you need online on Amazon India or eBay.
+You do not need to join an association to make money as a VO artist. However, those voice-over specialists who are association members generally make more money than non-association members. The one big association is the Association of Voice Artistes India. To join requires some prior but limited work experience as a professional actor, and it will add a few thousand rupees or so to your start-up costs.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs. 1000 - Rs. 5000 per hour.
+Rates vary depending on the client, project, and experience of the talent.
+For audio book narration, you can earn Rs. 1,000 - Rs. 5,000 per finished hour. Video game voicing pays Rs. 4,000 - Rs. 10,000 per hour. For corporate narration, figure anywhere from Rs. 12,000 - Rs. 20,000 per job. As for TV commercials, a local cable spot may pay only Rs. 3,000, while a national commercial for Sony or Colors TV could earn you 20 times that amount.
+Most working voice-over artists earn Rs. 15-20 lac per year or less. But top VO specialists like DeWees or India's Harish Bhimani and others can make well over Rs. 50 lac per year. Voice-over artist Joan Baker says that a very successful VO professional can make even a crore rupees per year. LaFontaine, who has recorded over 5,000 movie trailers, said that the top handful of VO professionals make seven-figure incomes.
+As a VO pro, you can make six figures without being a 9-to-5 cubicle slave.
+Says DeWees, "The best part of being a pro is that I am self-employed. I enjoy being responsible for my own success. I also love the work itself. It's very gratifying to finish a recording session and have the client tell you that you gave them exactly what they wanted.
+"Aside from the creative side of the equation, I also get a thrill from the marketing side of things. I love finding ways to get new clients. In all honesty, I think I enjoy getting clients more than recording!"
+A side point: I have written elsewhere that being self-employed requires you to be in relatively good health. In that context, I was talking about major illness. But for voice-over professionals, even minor sickness - sore throat, flu, cold, allergies, or sinus infections - can render them unable to work.
+Getting Started in the Voice-Over Trade
+There are four steps to take in launching a voice-over career.
+Step One: Set up a basic recording studio in your home. "Everything - auditions and actual work - can happen from your home studio," says Rohit J, a professional voice actor.
+Rohit's first home studio was a bedroom closet with only Rs. 20,000 invested in recording equipment. Even with that very humble set-up, he was able to generate a six-figure income. Today, his studio reflects just a microphone costing Rs. 1 lac and a sound-proof studio with the latest interiors and technology. about a Rs. 5 lac plus investment - still not very sizable in relation to the return it provides. You do not need a lot of space for your home recording studio; one successful VO artist has hers in a tiny bedroom closet.
+Step Two: Invest in some training to improve your voice. You must refine your raw talent to meet the demands of talent agents, casting directors, and clients. VO professional Rajesh More says that voice-over artists who do audio books or other long-form narration should get special training so they avoid straining their voices.
+Your Wealth Builders Club has been amazing for the price. Actually, I've never seen anything at all like it. It goes into so many aspects of wealth and does so in a very thorough manner. Thanks for your help and the help of all the others who have made this possible. Club member B.T.
+Step Three: Record a demo. A demo is a short audio with several 60-90 second sections. Each demo segment consists of you reading a real or made-up trailer or ad. Offering samples of your voice in multiple VO media - e.g., a movie trailer for an action film in a dramatic voice; a TV commercial for diapers in a softer, kinder voice - showcases you as a professional. It demonstrates the range of your capabilities.
+Back in the day, submitting your demo meant mailing an audio cassette and then later on a CD. Today you can post a digital file of the demo online and send potential clients a link to the mp3.
+Step Four: Market yourself. For many, this is the biggest challenge to VO success. "This is where most people fail," says Rohit. "I talk to incredibly talented people represented by the top agents in India who struggle to get work."
+Yes, VO artists can and should get talent agent representation. But you can't count on agents to fill your book of business. You can be represented on a non-exclusive basis by multiple agents. The jobs they bring account for a small percentage of income. The rest comes from his own marketing efforts. For this, he focuses on getting his demos in front of enough of the right people on a consistent basis.
+Getting the Word Out
+The key to marketing yourself as a voice-over artist is to get your demo into the hands of as many potential clients as possible, says successful VO artist and coach David Rosenthal of Internet Voice Coach. Send your demo to as many potential clients as possible.
+"Nowadays this is even simpler, as all you need to do is take your pen drive and dump the samples on to the studio's computer," Says Pervez M, a dubbing artist and voice actor in Mumbai.
+There are a number of ways you can get someone to listen to your demo. For radio and TV ad work, you can approach advertising agencies or go to advertisers directly. You can send it via postal mail as a CD. Or you could hand deliver a CD yourself.
+Some prospects prefer you send your demo as a sound file attachment in an email. Or, you can direct your prospect to a URL where they can download your demo as an mp3 file.
+"You've got to market yourself far and wide," says Neeraj. "Yes, it takes some work. But self-promotion is the name of the game, and all you need is one job to get yourself on the map."
+The offer in your self-promotional marketing - the "call to action" (CTA) - is for the prospect to request your free demo. There are many ways you can promote your free demo offer.
+For instance, you could send a postcard to ad agencies in your city. On the postcard is a URL where they can download the demo mp3. Also include your phone number. This way, interested prospects can call you to discuss a potential job.
+Several VO artists run small classified ads in the "services available" sections of advertising and marketing trade publications. Nowadays, the digital medium is used the maximum. With JustDial getting the largest number of advertisements for freelancers and voice-over artists. You could also e-mail studios with your details and voice sample attachments.
+Now, let's say you've had the good fortune to book a job or maybe you've landed an agent. Do you now stop promoting yourself? No. In fact, if anything, now's the time to promote yourself even further. Self-promotion is easier after you land the first client or three. Reason: You are now a working professional, not an aspiring VO artist.
+Rohit also recommends creating a website for your new VO business. Send out more postcards, this time to all your contacts. Tell them that you have an agent, or you've voiced a job, or whatever your accomplishment was. Just keep the momentum going.
+Remember, you are nurturing a fledgling career. It doesn't happen all on its own. Self-promotion may be critical to breaking into the business, but it's also what keeps you busy and active.
+What to Do Next
+Have you ever heard the voice-over in a movie trailer or TV commercial, or the narration in a documentary or audio book, and thought, "Hey, I could do that!"?
+Just read the Extra Income Opportunity on e-books (link ebook essay). Wow, another home run. The quality of the information we receive as members of the Wealth Builders Club is simply amazing. A resounding WELL DONE! Club member K.K.
+Anil Mani did. With experience in the Merchant Navy, Anil chanced upon the profession of becoming a VO artiste. Anil has done TV and radio commercial voice-overs for Kingfisher Airlines, Volkswagon, Bajaj Steel and even Gitanjali, the collection of poems by Rabindranath Tagore.
+So did Harish Bhimani. A VO professional who was famous during the times of the serial Mahabharata on Doordarshan and became famous for his line: Main Samay Hoon. He has provided voice-overs for numerous TV campaigns, documentaries and sound-and-light shows.
+If Anil and Harish broke into VO work, the truth is, you probably can as well. Voice-over work is an extra income opportunity where the barriers to entry are low. You need a voice, but not a golden one. And if you are not already good at voice work, with training you can improve. You can start and run a successful VO business with an initial investment of only a few hundred of dollars.
+Plus, the work is fun and at times even a bit glamorous. Yet, you can do it at home wearing your robe and slippers, for only a few hours per day. And if you tell people you have done a voice-over they heard, they will think that's really cool.
+You can find more information on the voice-over business at:
+www.edgestudio.com
+www.internetvoicecoach.com
+www.voices.com
+www.greatvoice.com
+www.voice-over-training.org
+www.voiceacting.com
+www.voiceoverextra.com.
+Some Indian websites include:
+https://www.voices.com
+http://www.voiceartistes.com
+http://www.indian-voice-overs.com
+Best,
+Bob Bly
+======Use Your Voice To Make The Cash Registers Ring (Part I) ======
+I've always been intrigued by voice-overs but it was only recently after reading Bob Bly's article that I decided to go out and explore it for myself. This is an extra-income opportunity that really interests me, because it helps me capitalise on something that I'm already using for various reasons, but not in a structured way, i.e. my voice.
+So I enrolled in a two-day voice-over artistes' training course conducted by Neeraj Mehra, a voice-over artiste and coach for several budding voice actors. His website VoiceArtistes.com is a platform for several artistes to showcase their repertoire.
+Conducted in a sound studio with sound technicians, professional scripts and processed sound clips, the course was a complete immersion into the various aspects of this lucrative vocation. I returned from the course with several learnings, which I'm about to share with you in this special report.
+I also came back with a host of my own voice samples ranging from audio book narrations to interactive voice responses (IVRs) and promotional jingles that I'm still busy posting on various websites, the names of which I will share with you later in Part 2 of this report.
+Me at the recording studio
+VOICE: An asset you already have
+But more than the tangibles of the course, what it really did was open up a new world by the simple discovery of an asset I already possessed - my voice. The course made me view my voice and its strengths and weaknesses in a whole different light.
+Additionally, it gave my confidence a huge boost, and now I consciously slow down my pace of talking and bring in a little more modulation, even in my every day speech. I'm also paying closer attention to the different mediums where we hear voice artistes and listening more carefully to how people say things.
+After researching several websites and talking to many more people who are already in the business, I am completely convinced that this extra-income opportunity has fairly decent rates of success. All it needs is focus, a few minutes of daily practice and the ability to market yourself to studios, production houses and corporates looking for talent.
+This report will give you a brief glimpse of the various aspects of this alternative career that you too can start pursuing very easily and yes, make some big bucks too.
+Why you should be a VO artiste
+We are in an age where everything has either music or dialogue. There is little that is untouched by the use of voices. From movies to audio books, to e-learning materials, documentaries, advertisements and automated responses, the market for voices is dynamic and diverse, giving everyone a place and niche of their own.
+If you pick up your phone and dial your internet service provider, you will meet with a mature woman's voice who tells you exactly what to do step-by-step. Likewise, if you're in a movie theatre, you will see promotional ads in short films made with the use of still photography and voice-overs, and even on a moving train, you no longer need to look out the window to know what station is coming up next - all you need to do is pay attention to the woman making announcements on the intercom.
+Moreover the internet has opened up several avenues for voice artistes. Podcasts have become quick-fixes for those who would rather listen than read, YouTube tutorials have replaced real-world coaching and even company websites have online videos describing their vision and services. Video games are a growing genre of entertainment that also require voice-overs.
+And yes, all of them are scripted, pre-recorded and need a variety of fresh voices. There is no reason why that voice could not be yours.
+Especially, in a multi-lingual country like India...
+Dubbing is another fast-emerging phenomenon in the market for voice-overs. Many books and movies are being translated into various languages for greater dissemination. This means that if you are proficient in more than one language, you could consider doing voice-overs in more languages than one. Believe it or not, good quality voice artistes in regional languages are very rare and they definitely have a premium.
+Thus, the platforms and opportunities for new-age voice artistes have grown tremendously in the past few years. It has also got more democratized and there is no longer a monopoly of a few "good" voices. The internet is full of websites where you can upload your samples and details and you never know how quickly you may land an assignment.
+Nowadays, students, teachers, homemakers and professionals alike are investing a little time and money, and becoming an integral part of this booming industry.
+Do it the way it works for you
+The opportunity is one that can be pursued part-time, alongside your existing job. A couple of hours post work in a studio is all you need. And if you can't travel to the studio, bring the studio home. A popular concept called 'home studio' now enables artists to complete assignments from home and e-mail the voice clips or send them on a CD to clients. (You will find more details on creating your Home Studio in Part 2 of this report.)
+But if this seems like too much of an effort, there is still one more option - hire your nearest recording studio for a couple of hours. When the quantum of work you get is too much, this becomes a more viable and professional option as you can also avail of the other facilities of a recording studio like a sound technician who will guide you during your voice-overs.
+How to get started as a VO artiste
+Voice acting is nothing short of an art but, unlike an art form, it doesn't need years of formal training. A voice artiste like any other actor is a story-teller who has to captivate the audience with emotion and dialogue. Story-telling requires a lot of energy and conviction in the script on hand, and that's where the versatility of the voice actor comes into play.
+Voice Artiste Bharatkumar Thanvi
+Bharatkumar Thanvi was in the media, spent some time in the corporate world and is now a full-time voice-over artiste and stand-up comedian. He was fed up of the corporate rut, knew he had other talents to offer and wished to capitalise on them. What started out as a part-time career, eventually became a full-fledged business. Today he performs solo shows, is an excellent mimic artist, busy the whole day in a sound studio and takes the occasional course in voice training.
+Bharat took up VOs as a career because he had a range of voice forms to showcase. He moves easily from being a rabbit in a Hindi cartoon serial to being a serious narrator for a documentary on India.
+But you'll be surprised that even just a voice with clear diction and a good command over the language can do the trick. And that's why it is often seen that people who read a lot like academicians and tutors often opt for becoming voice artistes in their spare time.
+For experts and academics...
+With e-learning becoming an important avenue with textbooks, courses and live tutorials online, this space is a growing one for experts on various topics. All one needs is fluency and some amount of exposure to the terminology used in the subjects. Giving your voice to children's audio books is also an interesting option for those with a background in teaching. But here emoting and expressing become important. In addition to your clear voice, the skill of story-telling is also a useful one.
+Getting into the skin of different characters and bringing them alive for younger listeners is key. For example, voice-over artiste Sucharita Tyagi in an article in The Economic Times says, "Contrary to what many think, voice-over is not just about reading the lines into a microphone. I have to step into the skin of the character I am lending my voice to... Also, you have to take care of how you speak into the microphone, the distance and the angle of your head so that you are able to emphasise the right words, the right way."
+Cultivate your voice with practice
+Some of us have a good voice while some of us don't. Either way there is no reason that a good voice need not be cultivated for professional use. The process is pretty similar to doing riyaaz or regular practice for a singing career, but only simpler.
+The vocal muscles need to be exercised, certain precautions need to be taken and a range of scales need to be traversed. You may have to move from a low pitch to a high pitch to a medium one depending on the nature and content of the script.
+Here are some tips to help you take your first steps as a voice-over artiste:
+Start observing the different mediums that use voice-overs. Pay special attention to the way people speak, the accents, the pauses and the intonations (the inherent rhythm of the speech).
+Google a script of your choice from any of the script websites or even from YouTube, which will have the words and the video together in one place.
+Or choose 2-3 paragraphs (an A-4 size page when printed) of any text (a book, newspaper or magazine) and start reading it out loud.
+Focus first on the language, punctuation, different stress words and then move on to adding emotion to it. Repeat this many times, till you overcome most errors and can complete the whole A4 size page without any glitches.
+A quick way to regain your stamina, is by simple exercises like chanting 'OM', making the humming sound like in the yogic exercise Bhramari and even the lion's roar in Singhasana, where you sit on you haunches, put your toungue out and make the sound 'aaaa' with full force.
+Going through the Sa Re Ga Ma scale forward and backward also helps improve your range.
+When you are ready and confident, the next step is to build a portfolio of your work. But in order to do so make sure, you are comfortable with a range of scripts that cover various aspects of voice rendition.
+If you would like a career in more than one language, get familiar in scripts of the other language too.
+Part 2 of the report will discuss more technical issues. Most of which will be extremely useful before you enter any sound recording studio:
+Ways to market your voice
+Recording terminology you should be familiar with
+How to improve your voice quality
+A focus on pronunciation and diction
+Setting up your Home Studio
+An interview with an industry expert
+====== Use Your Voice To Make The Cash Registers Ring (Part II) ======
+In Part 1, I gave you a brief introduction on the wide range of possibilities you have before you if you decide to enter the voice-overs industry. In this part, I will share with you some specifics on how to go about entering it and once done, how you can land yourself more assignments, work from home and keep improving your voice quality.
+Later in the essay, industry expert Neeraj Mehra will share his views on this booming extra-income opportunity. Let's get started...
+Marketing your voice to studios and on websites
+Once your voice samples are ready, the next step to take them to studios in and around your area. Most studios are already connected with sound technicians and producers who are always looking for new talent for their productions. If you don't mind the long drive, explore studios in other areas too. In Mumbai especially, most studios are located in Andheri, closer to where Bollywood and the television industry is.
+Services like JustDial tell you exactly just how many studios there are in your city and where they are located. This service can also be used to upload your profile, similar to other websites for freelancers like Freelancer.in and Freelanceindia.com.
+You can take pen-drives and simply load the samples on to the machines at sound studios or you can drop a CD with your work. A good idea is to keep samples of your voice loaded on your smart phone, if you do get an enquiry, you can quickly Whatsapp the sound clip to the client. It gives the person on the other end an instant idea of your voice and takes you higher up in the selection process.
+You should make an effort to stay connected with sound studios and build a rapport with them, so that they always have you on top of their minds when they get new projects.
+Other avenues for promotion include paying for listings and webpages on specific websites for voice actors like voiceartistes.com, voices.com, voice123.com , vforvoices.com and Indianvoiceovers.com to name a few. These will help you get greater online visibility and put you in direct contact with professionals in the industry.
+Creating a profile on YouTube and audio-specific websites like soundcloud.com also helps.
+Tips to improve your voice quality
+When the jobs get many and the voice gets strained, here are some tips that can help you get your voice back and also improve its quality.
+Stay hydrated and drink enough room-temperature water throughout the day. Avoid diuretics like caffeine and alcohol.
+Add olive oil to your diet. Opera singers use olive oil to gargle before singing, as it lubricates the vocal cords.
+Drink green tea as it protects your throat from free radicals that damage tissue.
+Add honey to your tea to help coat the throat and protect it from infections.
+Avoid singing in dry, smoggy, or smoky environments if possible.
+Avoid smoking cigarettes, pipes, and cigars as they harm your vocal cords and general health.
+Do vocal warm-ups before your assignment. Start with a low volume, at a lower range and then move up gradually to higher scales.
+Minimise the use of your vocal cords before an assignment. Don't talk loudly or too much to avoid the overuse of your vocal cords; give them some rest instead.
+Don't take on a range that is different from your natural one as that will mean you will stretch your vocal cords and damage them eventually.
+It is essential to consciously speak from your diaphragm --- the large muscle at the base of your ribcage that controls the rate of your breathing. It helps modulate your voice better.
+Stay calm and avoid any stress before a voice-over. Stress tightens the throat, thus adversely affecting your performance.
+Generally maintain good health with a balanced diet, sufficient exercise and enough sleep that helps you get rested and stay fresh for the next performance.
+Setting up your Home Studio
+The Home Studio is very effective right from the time you start creating your voice samples. The first step in this process is to download a sound recording and editing software called Audacity onto your computer. In addition to this you will need good quality headphones with a microphone on it. A good brand that is often recommended is Sennheiser. Also, headphones which cover your ears completely work better.
+This set-up works well when you're just getting initiated into voice acting. As you grow and get more assignments, you may need more professional equipment like a sound card and professional mic. A popular sound card brand is M-audio Fastrack and it is easily available on Amazon, Flipkart or eBay. The next investment will be in a professional mic, some names are Sennheiser e845 and Shure SM58.
+To shut away the noise you can create a console in your home by using sound absorption material as is shown below and add a stand for the mic and sound card.
+Photos Courtesy: Voiceartistes.com
+A home studio has many advantages, the most obvious being you don't need to travel and can work from the comfort of your own home. Another advantage is that you can work in the early hours of the morning or late into the night and finish your assignments before and after your work hours. For long projects, like e-books which are largely solitary in nature and take a couple of days to finish, your home studio will help you complete it at your own pace.
+But do invest in a home studio only once you have a good body of assignments and if it is indeed a viable option for you.
+Sound recording terminology you should be familiar with
+You don't want to sound like a novice when you enter a sound studio for the first time. Thus, it's a good idea to get acquainted with sound terminology that will help you save time and communicate better in a studio. So here's a list to know before your first assignment:
+Take - Action / start speaking
+Option - Give another take with different flow / energy
+Fumble - An error made while speaking
+Energy - Put power without shouting
+Understated - Narrate a statement naturally
+Enthusiastically - Add more liveliness to the narration
+Soft - Put a mild, sensuous quality in the words
+Grains - The sound of audible grains at the end of words denoting a high baritone
+Conscious - Getting focused on words instead of the content
+Buff /blow - A puff of air suddenly hitting the mic usually in aspirated consonants
+Clarity - Each word should sound clear
+Dip - Energy falling down while speaking
+Drag - Stretching the words too much
+Modulation - Adding emotions on specific words
+Pause/dot pause - Full stop/comma
+Off the mic - Standing diagonally to avoid blows
+Definite ending - Ending a sentence with emphasis
+Stress - Putting strength on specific words
+Pace - The speed of your narration
+Pitch - Same as Sa Re Ga Ma or the scale or the note of your voice
+Projection - The amount of voice reaching the mic
+Tempo - The speed at which a recording is played, measured in beats per minute (bpm)
+Talkback - Intercom in the monitoring room for the engineer to talk to the VO artist
+Safety take - Another take as backup
+Cut it - End it
+Focus on pronunciation and diction
+Clarity of speech is one of the number one factors in a voice-over career. The right stress on words, correct pronunciations and adequate meaning through emotion is paramount in your delivery.
+Nowadays, when you are in doubt about pronunciations, you can even consult apps like HowJSay and MacmillanEducationApp. Additionally, you can carry a pocket dictionary with you to the studio or Google your favourite online dictionary from your smart phone. It always helps to get the script from the client a little in advance so that you have some time to prepare yourself.
+You will also need to verify if you need to follow the American pronunciations or British ones. Accents also come into play and if you can give your voice that extra twang, you'll do well for IVRs and in-flight announcements. Our Indian accent is pretty neutral but we have to stay away from regional language crossovers while speaking.
+An Industry Expert Speaks
+Neeraj Mehra
+Neeraj Mehra started his career as a voice artiste at a time when it was still not such a known profession. While working in a video studio, he would often fill in for the voice-overs as and when needed, eventually making him explore it as a career.
+Today, he is a successful voice actor, runs a website for upcoming voice artistes called VoiceArtistes.com and also conducts workshops which train and guide voice actors. In an interview with him, I asked him a few questions that every newbie is curious about.
+Read on...
+What made you start VoiceArtistes.com?
+I started writing articles on voicing to promote my own work and skills. But the maximum responses I got from readers were queries on how to go about it. So I decided to start a website which would help promote people who were looking at it as an alternate career. We launched in 2006 but it was only in 2009 that we added a business model through subscriptions for the various services provided.
+What do you see as the biggest advantage of the digital age?
+The communication medium has become very strong and sound clips can be sent through any medium and in many formats. In this era, all you need to do is focus on selling your voice.
+How successful have your workshops been?
+In 2009, I tied up with a studio to start training workshops. We got a great response and were booked for the next 2-3 months. We have since conducted more than 100 workshops across the country in place like Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bangalore and Cochin. 300+ students have already successfully entered the voice-over industry professionally. 75 percent of them are freelancers while the rest are in it full-time.
+What are the opportunities in the current voice-over market?
+Voice is the biggest medium which is needed in all formats, any video is incomplete without it. Telephony and EPABX for private office use is another big area. E-learning which started ten years ago is also becoming a lucrative area. Mobile apps too need voice-overs and new ones are being created every day.
+How much do VO artists typically start earning?
+There is no fixed rate card, but we created one on our website just so that new artistes don't get exploited. Most projects are negotiable and each artiste keeps his/her own benchmark on what they wish to charge. The medium also determines the costing. For example, if an ad will be broadcast many times and in large mediums like TV, you can charge more.
+What are the initial investments for a VO artiste?
+Nothing, you just need your talent and skill. You should have a good command over the language. And keep your mobile phone switched on through the day to receive any offers. If you wish to save on travel time and costs, you could start a home studio that can range anywhere between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 5 lac, depending on the equipment you buy.
+Any advice for newcomers?
+Improve your language by reading a lot. Listen to the way people speak, observe their styles so you can copy them when needed and speak in reasonable limits so that you don't strain your voice.
+You can read more articles by Neeraj Mehra here.
+So put on your headphones, start recording your voice, play it back to yourself and hear just how good you are... the world of voice-overs awaits you!
+Well, I sure had fun writing this report and I hope you enjoyed reading it too. If there are any more queries, you have on this subject, do write in to wbc@commonsenseliving.co.in
+Note: Some parts of this article have emerged from the notes taken at the workshop conducted by Neeraj Mehra. WBC is grateful to him for helping create this report.
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #13: Make Money Helping Students Succeed ======
+During my high school days, I briefly tutored a friend in math. I felt well paid with his mother's delicious home- cooked Italian dinners.
+Although I did not realize it at the time, I had what it takes to succeed as a tutor. A tutor should have two main attributes: First, a firm grasp of a subject matter others will pay to learn. Second, the ability to teach that subject matter effectively.
+If you are able to teach something to others, you can make spare-time income or even a handsome full-time living as a tutor. Tutoring can afford you an enjoyable lifestyle, flexible hours, a low-stress job, a lot of personal freedom, and an income in the mid-to-upper five figures... though some tutors make even more.
+Tutor.com, the world's largest and highest-rated online tutoring company, states that tutoring is:
+An ideal opportunity for stay-at-home moms and dads, college students, teachers, retirees, and professionals seeking flexible ways to earn extra income and help keep your resume sharp.
+The National Tutoring Association (NTA), estimates that - globally - tutoring is a $50-70 billion industry, with anywhere from 30-50 million tutors worldwide. It reports that tutoring has more than doubled in the last decade. This is due mostly to the rise of dual-income households in which parents lack the time to help with schoolwork. There is also increased pressure to get into a good college.
+I asked some of my Facebook friends - who are tutors - what they like about the profession. Here's what they had to say:
+D.J. says the best part about tutoring is, "the one-on-one nature of it... the ability to truly make a difference." She tutors primary school children in reading.
+S.J. says the greatest reward of being a tutor is "that moment when the light goes on and they get it." S.J. goes on to say, "Moving someone from a state of not understanding to a state of understanding is a big shift, and it is exciting to be a part of that. Then they see the world differently with their newfound understanding, and it can change so many things for them."
+B.A. has tutored middle school children in math and elderly adults in basic computer skills. She says with her students, fear stopped the learning process. Once she was able to get them to relax and overcome their fear, "learning became very fast."
+J.A. has tutored in the U.S., China, and Ecuador, teaching both children and adults. She says that tutoring adults helps them get closer to their personal and professional goals. "For kids, I like helping them see that the task in front of them was neither hard nor impossible."
+G.D. has tutored students from first grade through college level. He liked tutoring not only because he enjoyed seeing his students succeed, but also because teaching others kept his own skills sharp.
+In India, N.K. gives private tuitions to school students who prefer personal attention over group coaching classes. His commitment to his students is so high that at times he's working with them late into the night to ensure they feel motivated and confident a day before their exams.
+Why Tutoring Is a Great Extra Income Opportunity
+As I always like to remind our subscribers, when Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months to determine the specific criteria every opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria to see how well tutoring passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+Well, maybe not anyone can be a tutor. But the vast majority of us can. That's because most of us possess some specialized knowledge that others need to learn - either to do well in school or to get a professional certification. At the very least, you know English. And the demand for tutors who can teach English is large.
+Not everyone is good at teaching, but with practice, you can learn to become an effective teacher. Tutoring, which is mostly one-on-one teaching, is easier than public speaking or training. This is because you can easily adjust your presentation to the needs of the student.
+However, you must know the subject inside and out. If you cannot answer questions, aren't familiar with the material, or the student sees they know more than you, your tutoring gig will be extremely short-lived.
+As far as home businesses go, tutoring is about as simple as they get. You don't need a staff, inventory, any special software, or equipment. You need just your mouth and brain. That's it.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+You can run your tutoring business from a home office. The woman we hired to help our oldest son in college with Spanish ran the largest tutoring service in our area from her home.
+The tutor typically goes to the student's home. Some tutors work with students in their own homes, though it's not as common. A third option is meeting in a public place, such as a coffee shop or a local library.
+Third: You can choose to work part-time or weekends.
+Most tutoring takes place weekdays after school from 4-9 p.m. and during the day on Saturday and Sunday. So if you have another job, you can supplement your income by tutoring after work on evenings as well as weekends.
+Tutoring offers you a flexible choice of part-time or full-time work, depending on how many students you decide to take on.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of start-up capital.
+Tutoring has virtually zero start-up expenses. The students own the textbooks. Many tutors require their students to buy second copies of the textbooks and give those to them. The tutors do not pay for them.
+You need access to transportation to get to and from your meeting place. That means either a car or bus. You need access to a photocopier to make copies of worksheets and other teaching materials, which you can do with a home scanner or any local xerox shop in your neighbourhood.
+Other than that, anyone, even without any money, can get started as a tutor. There are no licenses, certificates, or special training required.
+Technically, you don't even need to be a college graduate. (Though most clients prefer that their tutors hold at least a Bachelor's in the field they are teaching or a related field.) For instance, the chemistry tutor we hired for my younger son had a B.S. in chemistry, but he also tutored physics. P.P., who tutored in French, did not have a degree in the language but, having grown up in France, was fluent.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs. 500-5,000 per hour.
+The lower end of that range is achievable by tutors, who earn anywhere from Rs. 500 to more than Rs. 1,500 per hour, depending on subject, location, and customers.
+According to an article in The Times of India: "A CBSE school teacher charges Rs 500 per hour, while a software engineer is paid Rs 400 to Rs 500. College students who teach get about Rs 350."
+Tutoring is an ideal spare-time business for putting some extra cash in your pocket. If you charge Rs. 500 per hour and tutor 10 hours per week, you can make Rs. 2,60,000 per year in extra income.
+Can you make Rs. 1,500 per hour? Fees are all over the place: SAT, LSAT, and GMAT tutors in Mumbai charge anywhere from Rs. 1,000 to several thousand rupees per hour. Beginning tutors are often tempted to set their prices lower than other tutors in their area. But despite what you may think, a lot of clients avoid the low-priced vendors, believing that if they charge so little they must be inferior.
+In addition to telling clients your fee upfront, also tell them your cancellation policy. Clients may reschedule frequently. If they cancel 24 hours before the appointment, you probably won't find another student who can fill that slot. So you lose income. Warning: Some clients object to paying cancellation fees and may leave you for another tutor if you charge them.
+Discuss late fees with the client. For instance, if the student shows up 20 minutes late for an hour-long session and you must end on time, he gets only 40 minutes instead of an hour's instruction. How much do you want him to pay-the full amount?
+Tutors are paid only for the hour they actually tutor. You are not compensated for the time it takes you to prepare a lesson or to read the textbook your student is working from.
+B.L., a tutor in north India, works for a large tutoring service for CBSE exams. She splits the Rs.500 per hour fee 50/50-half for her and half for the service. She is compensated only for tutoring time, not for her travel time to-and-from the student's home.
+At the top of the tutoring profession are the "super tutors." They tutor the children of Bollywood celebrities, rock stars, business tycoons, professional athletes, and royalty. They report earning as much as Rs. 5,000 per hour or more.
+"The demand from rich parents for tutoring has been growing over the past three years," says super tutor M.M. He is in such demand that wealthy families offer to double or triple his normal rate of nearly Rs. 3,000 per hour if he will squeeze their children into his busy schedule. M.M. says the best way to build credibility as a tutor is to have a solid record of helping kids achieve good marks.
+Back in the day, having a tutor was sometimes considered shameful, a sign that your child was lazy or unintelligent. But in today's hyper-competitive world, parents are eager to give their children every edge in life, and for those who can afford it, that means hiring a tutor.
+Getting Started As a Tutor
+J.M	., who runs a tutoring service focused on helping students pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), so they can apply to universities abroad, says that there are three basic requirements for becoming a tutor:
+Experience in what you are tutoring - a degree, certificate, or life experience
+Experience in some kind of teaching situation
+Evidence that you are an effective teacher - testimonials from students and your track record.
+What subjects do tutors teach? Virtually every subject taught in school from elementary through college, as well as preparation for the SATs, GMATs, (CETs in India) and every other standardized test under the sun.
+As I already mentioned, teaching experience or a degree are not always required for all subjects. There aren't any national or state guidelines for tutoring qualifications, making it a relatively easy field to enter.
+One local tutor in my county, who teaches PC-related topics - such as using spreadsheets and database-management systems - is entirely self-taught and learned his skills on the job. He does not have a computer science degree or programming certification.
+What skills or features do you need to be a good tutor? Tutor K.S. says that good tutors have a lot of patience, are firm with students about expectations, are well-organized, can approach a topic from different directions, and are good listeners. Because students are often frustrated with the difficulty they've had with the subject, "all tutoring students need to vent before they can focus," she says.
+Getting Tutoring Clients
+Tutors can get clients both through online marketing as well as some old-fashioned offline advertising.
+Online, there are services that can match you with students so you do not have to go out and find them on your own. Here are a few:
+www.tutornation.org
+www.tutor.com
+www.tutormatch.com
+Tutormatch.com will give you a free listing for your tutoring services. On the
+Tutor.com website, you can apply to become an online tutor.
+Some Indian websites that provide the same services are:
+HomeTutors.in
+tion.com
+HomeTuitionIndia.com
+TutorIndia.net
+MyPrivateTutor.com
+ThinkVidya.com
+SVSHomeTuition.com
+You can also post fliers in your neighborhood with a description of what you do, along with your phone number. Good places to post fliers include local schools as well as boards in well-travelled areas such as supermarkets and coffee shops. (Be sure to ask for permission before posting.)
+Many tutors get business through word of mouth. J.S., an experienced tutor, says that every time you work with a student, you should make sure they have your contact information and encourage them to tell their friends about you.
+Visit local schools and introduce yourself to teachers and guidance counselors, who, according to J.S., are the best source of referrals for K-12 students.
+"It's always best to have the course instructor or classroom teacher aware of you and behind your efforts so you can work in tandem to support student learning," says K.S. "Younger students have their parents behind them, so even if they aren't into it, their parents make sure they are there."
+You can also get future students through JustDial.com, a classified advertisement website with sections devoted to jobs, services, housing, freelancers, etc.
+Set up a simple website. When potential students see your site, they'll be confident that you are a serious professional tutor. Tutor P.P. says you will get a better response to your advertising if you state your rates.
+Many communities have learning centers for their members that hire freelance tutors. Their rates are higher than independent tutors, and the tutors they use get about half of what the client pays the center.
+Building the Business
+At the beginning, most tutors start with a handful of students and work only part- time a few hours per week. But if you do a good job for your clients and market yourself, you can turn tutoring into a full-time job if you wish.
+As a one-person tutoring company, you are limited in income to the number of hours you can tutor per week. Some tutors overcome this. When they start to get more students than they have time to handle, they hire other tutors to teach the overflow and take a cut of the money.
+Another way to grow your tutoring income is to tutor groups. If you charge Rs. 1,000 per hour and tutor five students as a group, you then make Rs. 5,000 per hour.
+Online tutoring is another option. Again, the money is in tutoring multiple students simultaneously. You can do this with an audio conferencing service such as Freeconferencecall.com or a webinar-type service such as Citrix's GoToMeeting.com.
+Online tutorial websites in India you can register your services on are:
+ExpertTutor.in
+E-HomeTutors.com
+TCYOnline.com
+E-Tutor.com
+TutorVista.com
+Some tutors I spoke with love tutoring and earn so much money that they have stuck with tutoring for decades. A lot of others tutored for a few years, when it fit their lifestyle and financial needs. The choice is up to you.
+Best,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #14: An Opportunity for People With Good Taste ======
+Editor's Note: Here's an Extra Income Opportunity that is truly novel in the Indian market, giving you greater chances of having the first mover advantage. While Indians don't change homes that frequently, a large number do rent out homes and own services apartments or even provide bed and breakfast services. And here's where such a service may come in handy. If you have an eye for fine furniture, if you have a taste for good artefacts and furnishings and, if in fact, you've always dreamed to work with interiors, here's your chance to do so.
+Home staging covers everything from cleaning up a house to sprucing it up with likable and saleable interiors. It's a craze in the US, where home stagers are in huge demand, but there's no reason you can't make it a great business idea here too...
+***********************************************************
+Bob Bly, Author, Common Sense Publishing Back when there were no rules on cigarette ads, Winston ran a TV commercial that asked, "What do you want? Good grammar or good taste?"
+Well, if you have good taste in home decorating and furnishings, I have an extra income proposal that might be perfect for you: home staging.
+The best way to understand home staging is to recall when you last looked at a model home or sample flat in a new development.
+Even though no one lived there, it wasn't empty. It was fully furnished. There were curtains on the windows, perfumed soaps in the bathroom, and a bowl of fake fruit in the kitchen.
+That's staging. It's making a house look warm, friendly, and inviting to attract buyers and offers - at full asking price.
+You might think as I do, "Why not just leave the house empty? Buyers don't need all that fake furnishing." But you'd be wrong. Staged homes and fully decorated flats sell much faster.
+My wife, Amy, is a home stager. She regularly stages homes to, as she explains, get them to sell faster and for more money.
+There are two basic types of staging: vacant and occupied. In vacant homes, you bring in everything - furniture and accessories.
+In occupied homes, you work with the furniture the homeowner already has. If their furniture is of good quality, your job might be rearranging things to create a more pleasing layout - though many stagers offer extra accessories. If the seller owns junk, you might advise them to put it in storage and rent more modern, attractive furniture and accessories.
+Why Home Staging Is a Great Extra Income Opportunity
+As I like to remind you, when Mark started the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months to define the criteria every proposal had to meet.
+Let's review these criteria to see how well home staging passes our litmus test...
+First - anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+Well, home staging isn't rocket science. You don't need a degree, license, or certificate. Many people who have some experience in interior design and related fields might become home stagers. But some stagers have little or no formal training.
+My wife took several courses at a college. She earned an interior design certificate. She also took added training in staging techniques, marketing, and setting up the business.
+The main requirement for doing home staging is to have good interior design sense and taste. If you possess that trait, home staging might be a natural way for you to earn extra income.
+Second - you should be able to start the opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+Most home stagers Amy and I know have home offices. But the house the client is selling is where the work is done.
+A word about furniture and accessories: Most home stagers own a modest collection of accessories such as rugs, lamps, bedspreads, pillows, vases, etc. It helps to have a place to store them.
+If you live in a tiny house or apartment, you can rent a storage unit. This is what Amy did until we moved into a home with a big basement.
+As for furniture, some stagers rent furniture for their home staging. That's what Amy does. The client pays the rental fee, and the furniture retailers that provide the rentals pay a commission to the stager.
+The furniture rental company delivers the furniture for the staging. Then they pick it up once the home is off the market. Some stagers keep all the commission, or they may pass some of it along to the client to help defray the cost of the rental.
+Other developers who have long-term plans for selling apartments will buy the furniture and other accessories for their sample flats.
+Third - you can choose to work part-time or on the weekends.
+This is true to a degree. Amy does work part-time. And she does do staging on weekends.
+But as a home stager, you have to accommodate the client's schedule. If the client works and can meet you only in the evenings, that's what you have to do. If you are hired to stage a vacant house, the client will usually give you a key. Then you can pretty much come and go when you please.
+Fourth - the opportunity should not require a lot of start-up capital.
+The biggest start-up expense for home stagers is buying an inventory of furniture, unless as explained, the majority of home stagers opt to use furniture rental companies. New stagers rarely invest in furniture.
+Buying an inventory of accessories is a much smaller start-up expense. You can start with a couple of thousand rupees and gradually add items to your collection.
+In India, places like Chor Bazaar in Mumbai are a dream to source interesting old furniture and not pay a fortune for your inventory.
+You will also have to spend a little money on marketing tools such as business cards, presentation folders, postcard mailers, a website, and brochures.
+Fifth - you should be able to make Rs. 2,000-Rs.10,000 per hour from it.
+Some home stagers charge by the hour and others by the room or the house. The pay should work out to between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 6,000 per hour for it to be a good investment of your time.
+One warning: Home staging can be physically challenging. You have to carry things into and out of homes. You may find yourself helping to move furniture. You don't have to be really strong, but you can't be feeble, either. Teaming up with another stager or friend, or hiring an assistant for a few hundred rupees per hour, can make this part of the job easier.
+Why Staging Services Sell
+Clients - who include homeowners, developers, investors, and real estate agents - hire professional stagers to make the home look better to present to the market.
+Staging guru and author Barb Schwarz found that, even in a tough housing market, 95% of staged homes sell in 35 days or fewer. By comparison, homes that are not staged take 172 days or more to sell, if they sell at all.
+In India, this concept is new and being practiced by big developers who pre-sell apartments in their projects. However, many homes and services apartments that are up for rentals could do with some home staging as well, increasing the possibilities of such an opportunity.
+In addition to helping homes sell faster, staging also helps sellers get full asking price for their homes. According to HomeGain, staging has an average return on investment of 200-586%, making it a profit center for clients.
+A survey by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC found that staged homes spend half of the time on the market compared to un-staged homes. And, on average, staged homes sell for 6% above the asking price.
+The problem is most home sellers don't understand all the benefits of staging. They have to be educated. When my wife visits a potential client, she carries a big binder full of articles and fact sheets making the case for staging.
+One of the things you can tell prospective clients to inspire them to hire you is, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the longer homes stay on the market, the further their prices drop. Therefore, a Rs. 1.5 lac staging is nothing, compared with lowering the price of your home by Rs. 5-6 lac or more because it isn't selling.
+Why Hire a Stager?
+"Why do I need a stager?" a seller might think. "I can save money and just make my home look nice myself."
+Theoretically, they can, and some sellers do. In particular, Amy meets many real estate agents who discourage their clients from hiring a home stager. These agents believe they can do a good job of staging themselves, and staging requires no special skill.
+But the reason to hire a professional home stager is the same reason you hire a professional copywriter to write your sales letter, a professional website designer to design your website, and a CPA to prepare your tax returns. The professional has more experience, knows more, and will do a much better job.
+Yes, some people have good taste and can pull off staging their home themselves. But the majority of people either have bad taste or are not up on contemporary design trends, and for that reason their homes show poorly. That's where you as the home stager come in to save the day.
+One other important point: Home staging is similar to interior decorating in that they both aim at making a home more beautiful, but they are not identical because they have very different goals.
+The interior decorator has to design the home to please the homeowner, who is going to live there. So as an interior designer, you have to be aware of and cater to the client's tastes.
+Home staging is different. The goal of the home stager is to please the buying public, and so the design has to have broad appeal. It cannot be idiosyncratic nor should it reflect the owner's taste, which, while important to the seller, is largely irrelevant to the buyers.
+What Home Stagers Actually Do
+Home stagers typically offer three levels of service.
+The first is a consultation. For a couple of thousand rupees, depending on the size of the home, the stager spends an hour or two walking through the house with the owner. Room by room, the home stager makes suggestions.
+The next level is a consult, but with the addition of a written report prepared by the stager, giving her design suggestions. The report, which typically runs around 10 pages, provides a room-by-room checklist of the stager's recommendations. The report costs another Rs. 5,000-15,000 above the base consult fee.
+The top level of service is for the home stager to implement her recommendations and physically do the staging herself. At least, this involves rearranging the seller's furniture and accessories to create a more appealing layout. It may also require bringing in accessories and furniture. The stager may recommend painting the walls and other home repairs. But these are the duty of the homeowner, not the stager.
+Step One: Training
+Okay... So you want to try your hand at home staging. What are the next steps? Unless you were born with natural talent and good taste, you can benefit from training in staging and interior design.
+Look around your area for crash courses on interior design that will work just as well for home staging. Or take an online course..
+Second, you need clients. For a home stager, potential clients include home sellers, developers, real estate investors, and real estate agents.
+Many stagers work primarily with home sellers directly. The home seller wants the benefits staging can deliver: a faster sale at a higher price. Home staging is a price-sensitive service, however, so be prepared to haggle a bit.
+Investors, in particular those in the business of flipping houses, are extremely tight with their money and are looking for the lowest price possible. On the other hand, they do offer potential for repeat business.
+A real estate developer with multiple homes to sell will call in a home stager to stage the model home. They want it to be a showcase and therefore are willing to pay your fee.
+Real estate agents, theoretically, can refer you to home sellers who need staging. But so many agents are scrambling for business that agents are a marginal source of leads at best.
+Step Two: Marketing Your Staging Services
+For many home stagers, finding home sellers, developers, and investors interested in hiring a stager is the major barrier to success.
+How do you market your home staging services? Especially when the field itself is new and word is just getting out. Most home stagers agree that having a website is the cornerstone of their marketing.
+Two things are useful for your home-staging website. First, have as many photos of rooms you've staged or designed as you can. Second, optimize your website for local searches. For instance, if you live in New Delhi, optimize for the term "home stager-New Delhi."
+When clients are happy with your staging, ask for testimonials and permission to post them on your site.
+Some home stagers make presentations on the benefits of home staging to local real estate offices. The goal is to convince the agents to recommend staging and the stager to their clients.
+Ideally, developers and service apartments are the best potential clients.
+An often-suggested marketing tactic is to write articles on your area of expertise- in this case, staging. My wife published such an article in the local town paper. It generated two phone calls but no actual assignments... But at least, it's a start!
+Some Tips Before You Start
+High-end clients with expensive homes are better targets initially as there's more money to work with and not much work to be done.
+Build your clientele through referrals from real estate agents, architects, interior decorators, and happy clients.
+You can spend half your time on decorating projects and the rest of the time doing consultations and proposals and organizing rental furniture for vacant home stagings.
+For bigger homes, it may help to use an assistant to lug in the stuff and help hang art. But it shouldn't be a problem doing smaller projects on your own.
+To create awareness on your services, register on sites like Houzz.com which already have names of some home stagers listed.
+Best,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #15: Make Rs. 3-4 lac per Hour or More as a Professional Speaker ======
+Bob Bly
+I have some good news for you: An overwhelming number of people are terrified of speaking in public.
+Author George Plimpton once wrote, "One of life's terrors for the uninitiated is to be asked to make a speech." A survey from The Times of London found that more than four out of 10 respondents listed public speaking as their number-one fear. Just hearing the word "speech" sent shivers down their spines.
+Why is this good news for you? Because it means less competition in the very lucrative world of paid public speaking. If you aren't afraid of talking in front of a group, the world can be your oyster. But even if you are afraid, with practice you can overcome the fear - and succeed as a professional speaker.
+Why I Love Making Money As a Part-time Professional Speaker
+When Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They established specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well professional speaking passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+I can't think of an extra-income opportunity that's as simple and easy to understand as speaking. After all, we all talk all the time. Anyone can turn speaking into a side career, because virtually everyone can speak.
+True, speakers have to know something an audience would pay to hear. But many of us already possess some kind of specialized knowledge of value to others. And if not, we can certainly learn.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+Almost every speaker I know has a home office. That's because you don't necessarily need an outside office. As a speaker, you don't need to entertain or meet with potential clients in your office.
+Now, the actual speaking takes place at a meeting or conference site. That could be anywhere. So for some periods, speakers do spend time traveling. This might be an opportunity for you to enjoy the free travel.
+As a side note: Virtually all the international travel I've done in my life - including trips to Korea, Poland, Germany, England, France, Canada, and Italy - was paid for in - full by speaking clients.
+Your speaking clients pay all expenses for your travel. That includes air fare, ground transportation, food, and lodging. But don't take unfair advantage. A speaker who orders a $90 (Rs. 5,500 approx.) bottle of wine with his dinner is unlikely to be hired again.
+Third: You can choose to work part-time or on the weekends.
+Speaking usually starts out as a part-time gig. At the beginning, you are working to attract clients and book engagements, and you won't have that many talks lined up.
+Through hard work and proactive marketing, you can build up your speaking to a full-time business. I would say that any speaker who brings in $2,000 (approx. Rs. 1.5 lac) - plus per talk and gives 30 or more fee-paid presentations per year can be considered a full-time speaker.
+You can often set your schedule as you wish. Business seminars target corporate employees and are usually held on weekdays. Seminars aimed at entrepreneurs and the public are often held on the weekends - or evenings, for shorter programs.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of start-up capital.
+The cost of getting into speaking is minimal.
+You need a telephone, a computer with a high-speed Internet connection, and several good-quality business suits - speakers must dress nicely.
+You will also have to spend anywhere from several thousand rupees to a lac or more on marketing materials. That includes business cards, brochures, and a website.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs 10,000 - Rs 15,000 per hour.
+Here is where speaking shines. Clients pay speakers on a "per-hour" basis, and the fees are usually high.
+In the beginning, a budding speaker may speak for free - at a chamber of commerce meeting, for example - just for the experience and exposure.
+He then may start charging smaller groups for short talks - maybe $500 - 1,000 (In India, Rs. 5,000 - Rs. 10,000) per hour.
+A more experienced speaker can charge $2,000 - 5,000 (In India, approx. Rs. 25,000 - 50,000) per hour. He might deliver a speech at association meetings or corporate training seminars. And the presentation length might range from an hour to a full day.
+Top speakers earn $5,000 - 10,000 (In India, Rs. 50,000 - Rs. 1 lac) per day. That's especially if they speak on a technical or in-demand subject where there aren't many other speakers available.
+New Delhi entrepreneur and speaker F.G. speaks at his own public seminars. He also speaks at events hosted by other entrepreneurs in his fields of expertise - Internet marketing, speaking, and consulting.
+He makes his money primarily by selling his own books, CDs, and coaching programs at these events. According to F.G., the most he ever earned in a day was Rs.50 lac, though I have seen him at small events with much lower sales.
+Author D.S. is a professional speaker in the marketing field. He speaks mainly to associations and corporate clients. He earns Rs. 5 lac per keynote speech.
+Another speaker, G.B., trains corporate executives in business writing. He charges Rs. 75,000 for a one-day class with 10-15 students.
+Motivational speaker Bishal Sarkar helps corporate professionals, businessmen, managers, leaders, software engineers speak and present "like champs" so that they can create a bigger impression professionally and ultimately earn more income. He started out speaking for free, then got Rs. 1,500 for 10 hours and is today earning Rs. 3.5 lac for every 45 minutes. Read more about him and get some public speaking tips from his website here.
+My own fees vary. For a one-day corporate seminar on copywriting, I make $5,500 (Rs. 3,30,000 aprox). I've earned $5,000 (Rs. 3 lac approx.) to speak at a marketing boot camp for just one hour. I've also received a $10,000 (Rs. 6 lac approx.) check to give a one-day presentation on marketing for a software company. But I had to travel to Italy to do it.
+Once, a business partner and I promoted a one-hour teleseminar. We got hundreds of attendees at $79 (Rs.4,750 approx.) each. After splitting the net sales 50/50, I took home $9,800 (Rs. 5,90,000 approx.) for a 60-minute talk. I delivered it over the phone. I didn't even have to prepare - I knew the subject cold and just answered questions the moderator and attendees asked me.
+Getting Started As a Speaker
+Your first step is to decide what topic you will speak on. If you have published a book on your area of expertise, it's a logical choice to speak on the topic of the book.
+If not, take an inventory of your education, job experience, skills, specialized knowledge, hobbies, and interests. This will help to find subjects you might speak on.
+What do you know that individuals or meeting planners would want to hear? As Aristotle said: "Where your passions intersect with the needs of the public, therein lies your vocation."
+If you speak on business topics, your audience will be either corporate employees or entrepreneurs. If corporate employees attend your seminar, their company will typically pay their attendance fees. Any entrepreneurs attending will pay their own way.
+Other topics - such as how to save for retirement or find a mate - are personal, not business, so attendees pay their own way.
+As a rule of thumb, the more specialized the topic, the higher the speaking fee you can charge. For example, I know an experienced chemical engineer who commands astronomically high fees for giving talks on designing hydrocarbon distillation towers.
+Almost every professional speaker I know - including me - learned his craft by starting out for free at low-profile, low-pressure venues. These can include the chamber of commerce, the Rotary Club, or even some of the local recreational clubs which regularly host speakers, as well as local chapters of associations.
+When I published my first book, The Elements of Technical Writing, in 1982, I promoted it by speaking in front of local chapters of the Society for Technical Communication, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and other associations whose members were techies.
+I wrote my next few books on marketing - another field of mine (I'm also a freelance copywriter and marketing consultant). So at first, I spoke for free to local chapters of marketing organizations. But soon a few out-of-town chapters offered to pay me a modest speaker's fee of $1,000 - 2,000 (Rs. 60,000 - Rs. 1,20,000 approx.), plus expenses.
+In my case, I was lucky. Because of my published books, these associations were inviting me to speak.
+You are more desirable as a speaker if you are also a book author. But this can often dictate the subject you speak on, which is usually the topic of your book.
+Most professional speakers I know have written and published at least one book on their speaking topic, either via self-publishing or through traditional publishing houses.
+Writing a book establishes you as an expert in your subject. And mailing a brochure with excerpts of your book to potential speaking clients helps get more speaking gigs. That's why I tell every aspiring speaker to make it a priority to also publish a book.
+Take for instance, Indian born, Singapore-based CEO Gyan Nagpal who wrote a book - Talent Economics: The Fine Line Between Winning and Losing the Global War for Talent. He now uses most of his book's content in his talks globally and these reflect his area of specialisation, which is a unique combination of two subjects - talent management and economics. In the video below, he explains the concepts as he displays his book prominently in the background.
+Author Gyan Nagpal speaks at an Event
+Author Gyan Nagpal speaks at an Event
+If you're not yet published, don't fret. Almost all local clubs and associations are looking for speakers for lunch and dinner meetings. But because they are small, they typically don't pay speakers. So if you offer a program of interest to their members, there's a good chance they'll invite you to speak, even if you are not yet famous in your field.
+Becoming a Good Speaker
+Mark Ford has four suggestions for becoming a better public speaker:
+First: It's always better to speak about what you know.
+Second: Stick to one big idea in your talk.
+Third: Memorize the first sentence and the last sentence of your talk.
+And fourth: Look at people - individual people - as you speak.
+This is good advice... and point No.4 is the key. Why? Most people are intimidated by the idea of speaking to a group. When they look out over the audience, they get butterflies.
+The solution is to pick a few people in the audience. Look directly at them. Start with audience member No.1. After several seconds, shift your gaze to another attendee.
+When you do this, you feel like you are having a one-on-one conversation rather than "giving a speech." It's an instant anxiety reducer.
+Another good way to gain confidence as a speaker is to prepare twice as much material as you think you'll need. Beginning speakers often fret about whether they'll have enough content to fill their time slot. Having extra material on-hand eliminates that worry.
+Another way to take the pressure off yourself, especially when giving lengthy seminars, is to show a short training film on your topic. The video should be brief - no more than 10-20 minutes long.
+You can also give yourself a breather by having attendees break into small groups to do an exercise.
+I am shocked at the number of aspiring speakers I meet who admit that they never go to conferences to hear other speakers. The only ways to become a good speaker are (1) give a lot of talks and (2) listen to a lot of talks by other speakers.
+Toastmasters International is often recommended as an inexpensive way to learn public speaking. While I don't agree with some of their recommendations on how to speak, the experience you get in front of a live audience is invaluable. And it can prepare you to enter the world of paid speaking.
+Getting Speaking Clients
+As I mentioned, most speakers start by speaking for free to small local groups. Call a group or association. Ask for the name and contact information of the person in charge of finding speakers for their meetings. Then send an email to that person offering to speak at the meeting. Propose a topic and say why you are qualified to present it.
+Don't simply say the topic is "time management" or "customer service." You need a catchy title for your talk. For example, use "Concierge-Level Customer Service" or "10 Time Management Secrets of the World's Busiest People."
+You should also create and include a PDF document or web page with a brief description of your talk. I usually have a short paragraph explaining what it's about. Then I include a list of three to six bullet points showing some of what I will cover. You can see examples here.
+As a speaker, I market myself directly to clients - mainly meeting planners at national associations and managers at large corporations. For instance, when I sold my presentation "Effective Technical Writing," it was to corporate vice presidents of engineering.
+Some speakers market through speakers bureaus and agents. An agent represents you exclusively. Speakers bureaus - if they find you acceptable - put you in their database of speakers.
+When a request comes up for your topic, they retrieve your files - along with every other filed-away speaker who offers something similar. They then look to close a deal with whichever speaker the client wants - they have no vested interest in getting you the work.
+You'll need a "speaker's kit" to send to agents, bureaus, and direct clients. Typically this includes a biography, the description of your program - you need separate program descriptions for each topic you do - a copy of your book if you have one, reprints of articles you have written on your topic, and a demo video of you speaking at an event. If you have it, also include a list of speaking clients and their testimonials.
+D.S. - the speaker I mentioned earlier who gets $22,000 (approx. Rs. 13.5 lac) per talk - speaks across the globe. He attributes his international success to his being a prolific author of business books. He says this:
+There is no doubt that books drive speaking. I see it every day because of my local language editions. My books are in 25 languages. And I have spoken in 40 countries. For example, last month I spoke in Bangkok, and [a few months before that] I spoke in Istanbul. I got those gigs because I'm known in those countries - my books are in Thai and Turkish.
+I've gotten speaking gigs through my published books and articles, my website, direct mail, and even cold calling. For instance, when I cold called one engineering V.P. to market my "Effective Technical Writing" seminar, I started by asking, "Are you sick and tired of correcting your engineers' reports and memos because of their poor writing skills?" If they answered "yes," they were potential clients. If the answer was "no," then they weren't.
+Building the Business
+Most speakers are solo practitioners. You can make great money as a speaker. That's because of the relatively high fees good speakers with in-demand topics can charge. Here are some ways to build your speaking practice:
+First, you can raise your rates. Here's a cue for when to do that: When you have all the business you can handle at Rs. 25,000 per talk, and you are turning people away because you're booked solid, it's time to raise your rate to Rs. 50,000.
+When you do raise your rates, tell existing clients you have done so. But I also suggest agreeing to honour their old rate for the rest of the calendar year. This eases the unpleasant shock of your rate increase.
+Second, you can book more speaking engagements. A beginning speaker may do one talk per month. Well-established speakers often give 50 paid presentations or more per year. If you get Rs. 50,000 per talk, you gross a minimum of Rs. 50 lac annually.
+That sounds attractive. But the problem is that most speakers eventually tire of the constant grind. Speaking is all active income. You only are paid when you are traveling - mostly to distant cities - to give your talks. Business travel, while exciting at first, can rapidly become tiresome.
+Third, form a training or consulting company to multiply your income and reduce your own speaking schedule. Then you make money by selling other speakers to clients. The speaker gets part of the fee and you get the balance. This allows you to generate revenue beyond what you can make from selling your own time.
+Fourth, you can generate passive income by creating and selling informational products. I believe information marketing should be every speaker's second business.
+With information marketing, your income is not limited by the number of hours in a day or days in a year. When I sent an email marketing message that took 15 minutes to write, I made $1,000 (approx. Rs. 60,000). Then a couple of days later, I sent a different message that also took 15 minutes to write. I made an additional $5,000 (approx. Rs. 2.5 lac).
+For speakers, audios and videos are the easiest informational products to create. You simply record your live presentation.
+Back in the day, we sold our audios on CDs and videos on DVDs. Today's customers also want the option of downloading the audio as an MP3 file and streaming the videos as MP4 files.
+In addition to giving you a second profit center, there's another benefit to producing informational products. They help further cement your reputation as an expert in your field. You can see all my informational products here.
+Best,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #16: Fill Your Wallet by Emptying Your Attic ======
+If you were a patron of Chor Bazaar in Mumbai or Daryaganj in New Delhi and you enjoyed making the odd discovery of a priceless second-hand item that fits well in your own home, then this essay will surely interest you. Not because it opens up your world to the demand for second-hand goods but because Mark shows you how you can play an active role in the business of it as well.
+What's more, being a part of the second-hand goods business is now just a click away. E-commerce has changed the way, we buy, sell and resell. Online sites like eBay and OLX have made our chances for earning income through the sale of our used - but still useful - items even easier.
+And this is a business idea that is already seeing immense traction in India. An article in The Economic Times states that "According to search data from Alibaba.com, one of the leading business-to-business trading platforms in the world, online demand for second-hand products in India saw a triple-digit annual growth in November 2009..."
+The numbers are only growing since.
+The market for second-hand goods is your chance to make extra income without too much effort. All you need to do is dig out what you haven't used... and will never use... and follow Mark's instructions in the essay below.
+P.S: Mark talks about eBay in particular, but his tips work across most second-hand websites.
+*********************************************
+Mark Ford, Founder, Common Sense Publishing The typical 50-year-old has loads of clutter around the house. Things just sit on shelves, in closets, up in the attic, or in the storeroom.
+Some of these items, at one time, were useful. Some were greatly valued. But now they just accumulate dust. This presents an obvious income opportunity: selling them on eBay.
+A neighbour of mine, an art historian and critic, had collected thousands of books on art. Many were valuable. Some were first editions. While he was working, he referred to his library often. It was also a source of pride.
+But when he retired and decided to move into a smaller house, his library became a problem. If he wanted to keep it, he'd have to rent a storage space. How often would he see his precious library if it were locked up five miles across town?
+So he did the smart thing. He kept about 20% of the collection-the books he thought he might reread one day. The rest he sold on eBay. He netted more than $30,000 on the sale.
+Making that decision had two desirable benefits. He eliminated a future rental expense of perhaps $1,800 per year. And he put $30,000 into his retirement account. That money could easily generate an additional several thousand dollars of income per year.
+But there was a third benefit, too.
+In going through the process, he realized eBay was an efficient way to reach hard- to-find consumers. Had eBay not existed, he would have had to call dozens of book dealers who specialized in art books.
+He would have had to send them information about the condition of each book. Then negotiated a wholesale purchase price. It would have taken him months, if not years, to sell his collection. And he would have made, at best, half of the $30,000 he got in weeks on eBay.
+The trend of selling books online has become a growing one in India too. Research shows that the book industry which is growing by 20 percent in India, sees more than 10 percent of its sales from second-hand books. And the sales are now moving online to websites like madbooks.com, secondhandbooksindia.com, infibeam.com and bookadda.com. As the article says, Madbooks.com alone, "has a catalogue of over 20,000 books and over 2000 sellers."
+Coming back to my friend, he realized that selling odd, rare, and eccentric products on eBay could actually become a part-time, home-based enterprise. Because, as it happened, he was also an avid collector of unusual objects - for example, ceramic figures and old comic books. He could slowly whittle down those collections, bringing in welcome cash during his retirement years... and having fun doing so.
+He also realized he would never run out of things to sell, because he enjoyed browsing garage sales, consignment shops, and "antique" fairs. He was always finding something new.
+I want to express how much I appreciate this club. It is exactly what I've been searching for for the past few years. Club member D. S.
+In other words, he had discovered a very pleasant way of generating extra income.
+Could this work for you?
+Selling ordinary items, such as kitchen utensils, isn't likely to be profitable. You will be competing with millions of other people selling similar things. But if you take my neighbour's approach and sell rare and unusual objects, you can do very well.
+How EBay Works
+EBay is an auction and shopping website. People buy and sell millions of items on it every day. The site offers auction-style listings and "Buy It Now" sales at fixed prices. Sellers can use the auction format, the "Buy It Now" format, or both.
+Sellers list items for sale for a specified number of days (typically 7-10 days for auctions or longer for "Buy It Now" listings). A listing includes at least one photo of the item, as well as a written description. For the auctions, sellers can set a starting bid and a "reserve" price (the minimum they'll accept). However, many do not. I'll explain why later.
+Interested buyers enter bids, and eBay automatically increases the amount needed to purchase an item until the listing "times out." If the seller lists a "Buy It Now" price, a buyer can bypass the bidding and purchase the item instantly.
+The seller contacts the winning bidder. Once payment is made - most sellers prefer PayPal - the seller ships the item. When eBay confirms delivery, funds from the sale become available in the seller's PayPal account. The seller can then transfer the money from PayPal into a bank account or into check or debit card form.
+EBay makes its money by charging listing fees and taking a cut of sales proceeds. This is called a "final value fee." It is usually 4-10% of the sale price.
+Sellers are allowed up to 50 free listings per month. Higher-volume sellers who open eBay "Stores" also qualify for discounted listing fees and lower final value fees.
+Who Uses EBay
+More second-hand websites in India
+Quickr.com
+OLX.in
+Allindiabazaar.in
+Secondhandmall.com
+Junabazaar.com
+Sulekha.com
+India's Ebay.in
+India's Craigslist
+EBay launched in 1995 as a sort of online flea market. It attracted just a few dozen sellers and a few thousand buyers for any particular type of product. Today, it is a huge international marketplace. More than 112 million people use it.
+EBay users are typically in the 25-55 age bracket. They represent a wide range of people looking for bargains and/or hard-to-find items. There is an especially good market for dealers specializing in vintage items, antiques, and collectibles. But second-hand resellers, bulk sellers, artists, craftspeople, and designers also do well.
+The Income Potential
+It's possible to generate several hundred to several thousand rupees per month in your spare time. But if you're looking to run a full-fledged eBay-based business, the same logic applies to e-commerce as to a brick-and-mortar store.
+You must define your market, then work hard to provide the best merchandise and customer service. And you need to distinguish yourself from the competition. There will be plenty.
+That said, thousands of individuals have created thriving eBay businesses.
+Linda Lightman began by selling her kids' used video games 10 years ago. From there, she moved into the luxury consignment business. She sold designer goods for clients looking to clear out expensive clothing from their closets.
+Today, she has about $12 million in annual sales and employs 60 people. This breaks down to about 500 items shipped daily and 15,000 items sold per month.
+Elizabeth Bennett is another eBay success story. She sells unique art and clothing from Africa through her business, Africa Direct. In 1998, she began listing carved masks and textiles on eBay. She was thrilled when she made $50 her first week.
+Nearly 15 years later, the business has annual revenues of more than $1 million.
+Bennett channels about half of that to African artisans and craftspeople.
+How much money can you make? Much of it depends on two things: one, how much time you are willing to put into it; two, how smart you are about selecting and pricing your items.
+Your Marketing Advantage
+The secret of success on eBay is to specialize.
+Pick a category that interests you, one with objects you can readily find at garage sales and consignment stores. Ideally, you want to specialize in something that you already know something about.
+Make yourself an expert - not only on the objects themselves but also on their value. This is critical. Make it a rule to never buy something you can't sell for twice your purchase price.
+How to Become an EBay Seller
+To sell on eBay, you have to be a registered user. You'll also need to set up an account with one of eBay's approved Internet merchant credit cards -which means PayPal.
+Before you launch yourself as a seller, it's important to establish yourself as a trustworthy eBay user. You can do this by racking up positive "feedback." Buy five to 10 items using your PayPal account. Then sell a few things to get a feel for how the system works.
+(The Indian eBay has a facility called PaisaPay, an avenue for buyers to make free and instant online payments through credit card or online bank transfer.)
+You'll find that, like anything else, there is a learning curve. The greater your experience, the more knowledgeable and efficient you will be.
+For the step-by-step process of listing and selling items, you'll find everything you need to know on the eBay website itself. This includes ways to increase your positive "feedback" and what it takes to be recognized as a "store."
+Selling Your Items for Big Profits
+The key is to learn how to attract buyers by showcasing your products. The best way to do this is to research how successful sellers do it.
+Say your uncle left you his collection of vintage metal tractor signs. If you go on eBay and search for "Vintage Metal Tractor Signs," you'll likely see more than 100 active listings. Browse them, paying attention to how the sellers make their items sound interesting and unique.
+Notice they are honest about the condition of their items. They point out damage and flaws. You don't want a buyer to be disappointed when he receives your item.
+You don't want to give him any reason to give you negative feedback. You also don't want him to return it-which he is entitled to do if the item is "not as described."
+Pay attention to the often-used keywords that experienced sellers include in titles and descriptions. Those are words they know potential buyers are likely to use when doing a search.
+Pay attention, too, to the photos the sellers provide. (EBay allows up to 12 free photos per item.) Experienced sellers provide many clear, vivid pictures of their items, taken from all angles. They also provide photos of any damage or flaws.
+Something else to check out: On eBay, you have access to months' worth of data on completed sales. This reveals how much people paid for various products. You can also see which goods are most in demand.
+Other helpful info is whether buyers seem to prefer the auction format or the "Buy It Now" option. And you can learn how sellers ship the signs.
+When you post your first listing, you'll be tempted to set a reserve price. Most successful eBay sellers don't do this. Auctions with no reserve price tend to attract more bidders. And as long as you're offering a desired product in good condition, you should get plenty of bids.
+Keep in mind every eBay buyer has a compelling reason for doing a search. It's usually to find a missing piece for a collection or to search for a good deal. By specializing in a niche category, you make it easy for serious buyers to find you.
+Once they do, you tempt them to make a bid by providing plenty of information about your item. (Items with good descriptions always sell faster and for higher amounts.)
+Example of an EBay Listing
+Take a look at the following eBay listing. The seller who posted it did a pretty good job... but it could have been better.
+Title:
+Vtg Original 1960's Lindsey Funk's 77-F Embossed Metal Sign Farm Barn Tractor
+Description:
+Up for sale is a vintage Lindsey Funk's G 77-F metal embossed sign. The sign measures 15 ½ inches tall and almost 9 ½ inches wide. I purchased the sign from a gentleman whose father sold
+Funk's Hybrid Seeds. This one has minor rust along the side and in one corner. I don't think the sign has ever been used outside. The sign still has great graphics and vivid color. The back side does have a small amount of rust. It is a great sign, don't miss it!
+First, look at the title. It includes some important keywords that potential buyers are likely to search: "vintage" (abbreviated as "vtg"), "original," and "embossed," as well as the company name. (Lindsey Funk was a seed company specializing in corn and sorghum hybrids.) Also, "farm," "barn," and "tractor."
+Now look at the description. Here, the seller does some things well. He provides all of the basic facts about size and condition. He mentions the rust on the sign. And he adds some interest to the listing by saying something about the sign's origin.
+But a little more on the sign's history or the importance of the Lindsey Funk sorghum hybrid seeds would have made this description even better. A "story" can really help sell an item.
+We Googled some descriptions on Indian second-hand websites and here's what we found on OLX.in: "TV stand with plywood coating 8 months old."
+Of course the picture shows you the product, but a lot is left to be desired on its actual use, quality and style. Thus, Mark's tips on writing more attractive and informative titles and descriptions can be used effectively in India too.
+Creating a Business Plan
+If you're thinking of making this more than a hobby, it's a good idea to have a business plan from the get-go. You're going to have to predict revenues and expenses, including eBay's fees and other taxes.
+That will require some research.
+For every item you might expect to sell, it's almost certainly been sold before on eBay. And, as I said, information on completed eBay sales is available. By doing your homework, you'll gauge the potential size of your market.
+How many sales occurred within the past three months? On any given day, how many auctions were underway? What was the average final price on completed sales? Did most sales occur as auctions or as Buy It Now sales?
+Thank you all for the great start and all the amazing and actionable content you give us in the Wealth Builders Club. Club member L. A.
+Maybe you'll decide to participate in eBay's "Stores" program. Even if you don't, you should think of your business as a store. What's your business'
+How will you ship orders? What will you need for packing materials? What will shipping costs be?
+Estimate the number of hours it will take to procure new items, research their values, take photographs, and write detailed listings. Estimate, too, the time you expect to spend on communicating with customers. (In this business - as with any business - customer service is paramount.)
+You should build all of the above into your business plan.
+What You Need to Know Before Getting Started
+A few years ago, eBay decided it wanted to be more like Amazon. The shift in strategy meant new measures to increase consumer protection and customer service. Some of these new standards increased restrictions on sellers. Still, eBay can't be beat as an income opportunity.
+Don't begin your eBay enterprise until you have a clear sense of how eBay works. It will take some time to master this marketplace, but the reward could be huge.
+Make sure you understand eBay's feedback system. Buyers have substantial power to affect a seller's reputation-for good or bad. It pays to communicate with your buyers to ensure a smooth transaction with every sale.
+When your new business starts to take off, research the many tools eBay offers to streamline your sales efforts. You can buy seller tools from outside sources that may have a few more features, but eBay offers you everything you truly need.
+And they're free.
+Surely, you have some "stuff" stashed away that's been gathering dust. Why not give those old treasures a chance to work for you on eBay? Dust them off, snap some pictures, pen some words, and list them.
+Millions of people have cashed in on this unique marketplace. Why not you? If you have a computer, some cardboard boxes and packing tape, you're only keystrokes away from ready cash.
+If making money by selling your old things on eBay sounds interesting to you, your next step is to learn more. You can take an online learning course from eBay itself. There will be a trainer to take you through the topics and to answer your queries. They hold live monthly trainings on various topics to help you sell better. Just check their link here.
+Additionally, we at WBC have scoured the market for the top experts, programs, or books to further your knowledge on these opportunities.
+And we've found just the expert, Neil Waterhouse. He wrote the book Million Dollar EBay Business From Home. Please remember that we receive no financial compensation for recommending this book.
+Neil is the expert when it comes to making huge profits on eBay. He's an official eBay Million-Dollar Top Seller, as well as an eBay Invited Top Seller Speaker. He's able to give you valuable advice because he's been there and done it himself.
+Million Dollar EBay Business From Home is the most helpful step-by-step guide on the subject. It details everything you need to know. For instance:
+Which products return the highest profits
+How to hook shoppers
+How to stay ahead of your competition
+How to automate your business so you make money when you're not even there
+The traps to watch out for that catch many newcomers
+How to keep a high feedback rating
+The cheapest ways to ship your goods after sale.
+The book includes much more than this. And best of all, there's a no-questions-asked 90-day guarantee. If you don't find Million Dollar EBay Business From Home to be as helpful as you'd like, simply ask for a refund. Neil will give you your money back without asking a single question and he'll even let you keep the book.
+But I don't think you'll need to ask for a refund. Here is a sampling of feedback Neil has received from satisfied readers...
+I cannot believe how exciting this is - in my first week I made $1,142! It has been six weeks, and I now make more money at home in one day than I used to make in a whole week working for someone else. What is even more amazing is I took your advice and started at Step 1 and have not had to spend any money at all! Neil, you are the best thing that has happened in my life! Robert S., Perth, Australia
+Not knowing what I was doing, I was about to spend 3,000 pounds on an Internet business course but then stopped myself and read your book. Actually, I only skimmed it. Now, in less than two months, I am making more than 700 pounds from my part-time eBay business.
+I'm now reading your entire book, and it is a masterpiece. You didn't ask for this endorsement, but I'm giving it anyway. Thank you for saving my butt. You're a genius. Malcolm P., North East Lincolnshire, England
+If you have any interest in making money from eBay, this is your safe next step. Click here to learn more.
+And start digging around in your storeroom, and your neighbourhood stores for valuable old relics that can launch your online business.
+Best,
+Mark
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #17: Surf the Web for Fun and Profit ======
+Every month, I write NM a check for $1,200 (approx. Rs. 76,000). And her other clients write checks in varying amounts throughout the year.
+What does NM do for me that I pay her over $12,000 per year? She is a freelance online researcher. In a nutshell, she does online research that her other clients and I are too busy to do for ourselves.
+In my case, as a freelance copywriter, I constantly need research on the wide range of topics I am writing about - from molecular distillation of omega-3 fish oil, to the effects of methane as a greenhouse gas, to the advantages of investing in palladium instead of gold. Yes, I could do the research myself. But I hire a freelance online researcher to do my research instead, for three reasons.
+First, I'm too busy to do it. Every minute I spend looking up stuff on Google is a minute I'm not writing copy and making progress toward my deadlines.
+Second, it makes good economic sense for me to outsource Internet research, because my hourly rate is much higher than NM's.
+Third, although I know how to do research - in fact, I'm quite good at it - NM is even better and faster. So I get superior quality research sooner.
+And here's the thing: NM can take on only a limited number of clients, and she's already ultra-busy doing my research. So there is a crying need for freelance online researchers like her. That's good news for you. The demand is high. The work is interesting but not impossibly difficult. And the pay is quite attractive.
+NM is a generalist, as many online researchers are; she'll dig for information on any topic you need.
+Some other online researchers specialize. CP, for instance, focuses on doing research in the financial industry - a natural niche given her experience as a market researcher for Ernst & Young, and other financial services firms.
+DN, another online researcher I met, specializes in health topics, primarily clinical studies for nutritional supplement companies.
+Best-selling author Matthew Lesko has made a career researching information available for free from the government. He has written books on what he found, with an emphasis on grants and other free money from Uncle Sam.
+Is Being a Freelance Online Researcher Right for You?
+As I remind you in each of these articles, when Mark began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They determined the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well the freelance online research business passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+Doing online research is not rocket science. Yes, there are tricks to it. But the skill is not difficult to master. You will find many books and tips online that can help you learn the ropes fast enough.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+You do not need to rent an office; this is an ideal home business. You work with your clients by phone and email, and you never have to meet them in person. NM and I have met only once - when we attended the same marketing conference.
+Third: You can choose to work part-time or on the weekends.
+You can take on as many clients and projects, and work as many or as few hours, as you want. Clients typically email their research requests to you. You deliver your research to clients via email. There are no meetings and minimal to no phone conversations.
+Your hours are your own, as long as you deliver the research within the time frame the client needs it. This makes online researching especially attractive for those who prefer to set their own hours and availability.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+The startup costs are low and there is almost no overhead. All you need is a computer with a high-speed Internet connection. You can set up your office in a spare bedroom or even work at the kitchen table. If you already have a computer, you can start this business for as little as Rs. 5,000... and slightly more should you choose to invest some resource material.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs. 3,000-10,000 per hour.
+I have been quoted hourly rates by online researchers ranging from $25-50 (approx. Rs. 1,500-3,000) per hour, so you can, if you are good, make at least the low end of Mark's target hourly rate here. However, as a client, I have been able to get a lower rate by promising a certain volume of work to my researchers. So if a client has you on retainer for 10 hours of research per month, they may want a 10-20% discount off your regular hourly rate.
+DN recommends to her clients that they give her a maximum amount of time to spend on any given research request. "I don't necessarily use all of that time," she says. "In many cases, I may be given a 4- or 5-hour maximum and get all of the answers in an hour or so, and the client is billed only for time spent."
+Getting Started as an Online Researcher
+The first step to making money as a freelance online researcher is to get really good at online research. Then, becoming proficient is only a matter of practice - the more online research you do, the better and faster you'll become.
+Thank you for helping people like me. Your letters are very inspiring. I promise to read everything very carefully to do my best to learn.
+- Club member MQ.
+Sometimes, NM will tell me that she has put in a couple of hours on a research request and come up with nothing. She then asks if I want her to keep looking. Some research requests are easy and others more challenging. That's just the nature of the job. But you are paid for your time, not on results. For instance, if I ask NM to find a fact and after two hours she has come up with nothing, I still pay her for those two hours.
+Of course, you must always do your best to find the information the client wants, and you must always keep accurate track of time spent. If you do not get results or your charges are extreme, the client will find another online researcher.
+The second step in becoming an online researcher is to choose what markets you want to provide research services for. The need for research is wide. Publishers, corporations, small businesses, freelance copywriters, book authors, information marketers, and e-commerce businesses all have research needs.
+AB, for example, specializes in doing research for copywriters, content writers, and editors. Her pitch is, "Let me do the research for you - and deliver it on a silver platter for you and your writers to use. I'll find credible and quotable sources to provide maximum proof for what you are writing about. Then you can focus on the one task that gives you the most value - writing." Other writers, especially novelists and non-fiction book authors, also farm out online research.
+"There are tens of thousands of small businesses across the globe that need quality research," says AWAI Executive Director Katie Yeakle. "They need someone to surf the web and dig up all kinds of interesting facts, figures, statistics, studies, articles, and more."
+Large companies hire people to do "competitive research" - finding out what their competitors are doing, new products and applications they are developing, new technology they are innovating, and new markets they want to enter.
+The third step is setting up your online research business. As with any other business, have an accountant and a lawyer available to advise you. Ask what business structure is best - sole proprietorship, partnership, or a limited liability company. Your accountant will set you up to make estimated quarterly tax payments.
+You don't need to have a website for your online research business, though having one makes you look more professional. But even more important, a website optimized for the keyword phrase "freelance online researcher" will help potential clients find you when looking for a service provider online.
+You can find an affordable freelancer to design your website on www.freelanceindia.com or www.freelancer.in. When you are first starting out, your website will consist of just four pages: the home page, a page about your services, an "about" page with your bio and credentials, and a contact page with your phone number, email address, and any other methods of contacting you, such as an online form the visitor can submit to inquire about your services. As you complete projects, you can add two more pages: a list of clients, and testimonials from satisfied customers.
+Getting Research Clients
+The fourth step to starting and running a successful freelance online research business is marketing and promotion. As I just mentioned, having a website optimized for search engines is a good idea. This puts you ahead of the pack, since many online researchers, for some odd reason, do not have their own sites.
+I see a lot of freelance researchers promoting their services by sending me emails asking if I would be interested in hiring them. They seem to have found me online, but I consider sending unsolicited advertising emails to be close to (if not actually) sending spam. Sending a cold email to a list of names you compiled yourself is a questionable practice.
+If you want to use email legally and properly, send your email solicitation to a rented list of opt-in names.
+Sending a printed sales letter or postcard to a list of prospects is also both legal and an accepted practice. So consider trying good old-fashioned direct mail for prospecting. To increase response to your direct mail promotion, include a reply card the prospect can mail back to learn more about your services. Also, include your website address. Offer a short, free report of Internet research tips as an incentive to reply.
+There are also a number of "bidding" websites that post jobs for freelancers doing all sorts of work, including freelance online research. These include www.freelanceindia.com, www.freelancer.in, www.elance.com, www.odesk.com, www.taskr.in, www.peopleperhour.com, www.worknhire.com and www.guru.com. A website like www.brickworkindia.com is an outsourcing service for companies, an important function that it includes is knowledge services like research.
+The upside of going to these sites is that buyers with an immediate need post specific projects for you to bid on. When you market directly to business prospects as described earlier, you do not know whether they have a project or even if they outsource their research. With a freelance bidding site, you know the person on the other end outsources research and has a current need.
+The downside of using these bidding websites is that the customers they attract are, for the most part, price-shoppers who buy the low bid. If you charge a fair rate, you may lose out to other freelancers willing to work for peanuts - often because they are in India (which is good for you!), the Philippines, or other places where wages and cost of living are low.
+Then there are all the job networks out there where businesses are actively looking to hire researchers to surf the Web for them. Here is a sample of the way jobs are posted online.
+ jobs posted online
+Source: http://www.awaionline.com/
+The fifth step is closing the deal and doing the work. As a buyer of online research services, I can tell you that getting a client like me to hire you is not that difficult.
+Some services, like freelance copywriting and website design, have a lot of competition and clients who are particular about whom they hire.
+But if you come across as competent, intelligent, and confident that you can do the work, and your prices are competitive - somewhere between $25 and $50 (approx. Rs. 1,500-3,000) per hour - you will easily get hired as a freelance online researcher. And while the field is growing fast, it is not yet overcrowded: The demand for good Internet researchers currently outweighs the supply.
+I have enjoyed reading your wealth-building ideas and have implemented many of them into my financial planning.
+- Club member LD.
+What typically happens is that some busy executive, entrepreneur, or freelance writer is under the gun to write a document. And not having the correct information to write with creates a bottleneck.
+Under deadline pressure, they turn to Google, bidding sites, or colleagues for a referral to a researcher who can quickly, accurately, and reliably find the missing information. For this, they will pay a reasonable or even generous rate, even though - had they the time - they would able to do it on their own.
+When you land one of these clients, there are a few key pieces of information you need to do the job properly. First, ask where the research will be used; in other words, what's being written? A white paper on wastewater treatment? A sales letter offering gold coins?
+Second, ask the client if they have specific questions they need answered or particular pieces of information they need found. Sometimes the request will be general, e.g., find anything you can on preventing heart attacks. Other requests will be specific, e.g., find a clinical study that proves chelation therapy lowers the risk of adverse cardiovascular incidents in men over 40 with prior history of heart disease.
+You can deliver your research results either in an email or an attached Word file; whichever your clients prefer. In addition to providing the answer or information requested, you must also include the source for the fact. That means both a proper citation and footnote - for instance, if it's a magazine article, the author, publication, article title, issue date, and page number - and the URL where you found it.
+Sincerely,
+Bob Bly
+Editor's Note: India has a glut of intelligent minds who have still explore the real potential of this opportunity. Acquiring knowledge is our forte as a race, we love to read and research, and we are good at doing initial spadework for a project. That's probably the reason why India is the back-office of the world.
+And, like Bob Bly said, we are able to offer these services at competitive prices. It may be a good idea for you to explore this opportunity not only as an individual but to eventually even convert it into a business -- hiring researchers similar to you and providing research on a range of topics.
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #18: How to Make Rs 25,000 or More Per Week Designing Interiors ======
+My friend SS convinced her father to let her remodel his office, which she thought was too plain and unimpressive.
+The redecorated office was, classic and tasteful, with one traditional piece: a slightly worn out, metal-studded leather reading chair.
+She thinks he will love it, but he ends up getting rid of all SS's furnishings and accessories and restored the office to its original condition.
+"Didn't you like anything?" she says, disappointed.
+"Yes, one thing," he says, pointing to the leather armchair. "I love that."
+This story neatly encapsulates some pros and cons of the interior decorating business.
+The pro is that it is creative work ideal for people who enjoy homes, design, furniture, art, and decorating. My wife is an interior decorator and she loves it for all these reasons. It is not just an opportunity to earn money - for many in the field it is an opportunity to follow their passion.
+Hand in hand with that perk is the warm feeling of knowing you're helping people create their dream home. A place they love waking up to and living in every day - cozy, welcoming, and beautiful.
+Another advantage of the interior decorating business is that your clients will usually, but not always, range from middle-class to upper-class homeowners. So they have the money to pay the rates interior decorators charge, which can range from modest to quite expensive.
+The con is that when you do your job as an interior decorator, the advice you give is largely your own opinion, which your clients may or may not agree with in the end.
+To become an interior decorator, you need to study home decorating as a discipline, just like I studied math, physics, and chemistry to get my degree in chemical engineering.
+That said, you do not need a college degree to work either freelance or on staff as an interior decorator. But to be able to call yourself a legitimate interior decorator requires that you obtain a certificate for interior decorating from a local or vocational college.
+Whether you take online or on-site courses, or self-study by reading books, you must learn the many principles of effective interior design.
+But even if you do these things - and this gets back to the subjective nature of designing - there may still be a problem...
+When You and the Client Disagree
+The problem is that your clients, the homeowners who will hire you as an interior decorator, seldom have the same training as you do - and they often have what you might deem to be bad taste. This can create an unpleasant conflict when a decorator has to tell a client that his taste stinks and his requests for changes are unfounded.
+Attitudes vary on how to push back on a client's opinion when you feel it is way off base. Some decorators stand their ground - but I wouldn't recommend this strategy when you're just starting out, as it's the surest way to lose clients... and fast. The best strategy is to explain (just once) why you did what you did. And if the client still likes his way better, then acquiesce pleasantly.
+I want to thank you for this incredibly valuable report [on e-books (link)]! I had already started down this path of trying to figure out how to build income from e-books with some limited success. This report has filled in several critical missing gaps.
+- Subscriber K. J.
+There are two other minor cons I feel obliged to point out. The first is that interior decorating is a "nice to have" service but not a "must-have service."
+You need an auto mechanic to repair your car. You need a dentist to fill a cavity. You do not need an interior decorator to furnish and decorate your home. The service is optional, and the vast majority of homeowners do not use decorators.
+The second minor con is that decorators often instruct their clients to buy home furnishings and accessories like couches, pillows, artwork, and accessories. In addition to furniture, art, and accessories, decorators also use paint and carpeting to achieve the desired look for a room.
+Clients who approve items from looking at photos sometimes change their minds when the piece is delivered and they see it in person. Even though it comes from a store or other supplier, the decorator may take some heat, and the client looks to the decorator to resolve the problem.
+Your Next Great Extra Income Opportunity
+For an increasing number of women and men, the love of design is a calling, and the pros of decorating for money outweigh the cons. It is said that between 2008 and 2018, the amount of people entering the domain of interior design is set to increase from 19 to 20%, thus indicating the growth of the industry.
+Most interior decorators don't get rich from their work. But with wealthy, high-end clients, the fees increase, and some decorators make an exceedingly handsome living.
+In India, salaries can be dependent on the years of experience. Some freelancers earn less, and others earn much more. Assistant designers make anywhere between Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 a month while senior designers collect a salary plus commissions and bonuses which add up to around Rs 80,000 to Rs 300,000.
+However, work is on a project basis and to build credibility and a portfolio you should think about doing a couple of projects for little or no money. A large part of interior design is networking. If you do a good job on your first couple of projects, word will get around and finding projects to work on will get much easier. Therefore, it may take time to build a reputation.
+So... is interior decorating the right extra income opportunity for you?
+As I always like to remind our subscribers, when Mark began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed to determine the specific criteria each and every opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria to see how well interior decorating passes our litmus test. One thing to note: the terms "interior designer" and "interior decorator" are often used interchangeably. But as I noted earlier, there's a difference:
+Interior decorators focus on presentation, furniture, and colour within rooms. Interior designers do that, as well. But they may recommend structural redesign such as knocking out walls to make rooms bigger. Here's how both trades stack up against our criteria:
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+A key requirement for being an interior decorator is to have good taste and design sense. If you possess that attribute, interior decorating might be a natural way for you to earn extra income. Courses on interior design are available at local institutes, vocational colleges and online educational platforms.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+Most interior decorators my wife and I know have home offices. But some work out of rented offices to create a more professional image. The actual work, of course, is done in the client's house.
+Almost all of your clients will be local, but not necessarily right in your neighbourhood. Most decorators we spoke to look for clients who are within a 90-minute drive of their home offices.
+So if you have a lot of clients and projects, you may be on the road a lot. Some decorators targeting higher-end clients and aspiring to earn higher incomes feel they need a presence outside the home to establish the right image of success and professionalism.
+Third: You can choose to work part-time or on the weekends.
+This is true of interior decorators, to a degree. You can tell the client when you are available and - within reason - set your own schedule and hours. But you also have to respect and accommodate the client's schedule. If the client works and can only meet you in the evenings, that's what you have to do.
+Interior decorating can be competitive, so to close more sales, you must answer phone and email inquiries promptly. Interior decorator MK says he answers the phone from 7:30 a.m. until sometimes 10:00 p.m.
+Interior decorator AS, like so many of us, carries her smartphone with her 24/7. She checks it before, during, and after business hours. And if there's an email, text, or call from a client or prospect, she will most often respond immediately or, if not, first thing the next morning.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+The startup costs for interior decorating are minimal. You can launch your decorating business with nothing more than a phone, a desk, and a few business cards. The biggest cost is the courses, if you choose to do them, which could set you back a few thousand rupees.
+A website is optional but recommended. Today you can put one up for only a few thousand rupees. And it will almost surely pay back its cost many times over in just your first year of business.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs 2-10,000 per hour.
+Some interior decorators charge by the hour, and others charge by the room or the house.
+While most interior decorators quote on an hourly basis, some charge flat fees based on the scope of the project plus a percentage - typically 10-20% - of the total cost of the furniture, fittings, and fabric.
+Most interior decorators have a symbiotic relationship with the handful of home stores in their area that work with "the trade." When the decorator sends her clients to that store, she is paid a commission - ranging from 10-50% - on the furniture purchase. These stores will send you a commission while allowing the client to pay them directly, eliminating you as the middleman, so you do not need capital to fund client purchases.
+Top interior decorator BB bases her fees on a percentage of her client's total purchases for the project. And in a recent year, she supervised Rs 25 lac in work involving three major projects and four or five smaller jobs.
+A lot of decorators split their commissions with their clients. This gives the client an incentive to buy at the decorator's partner store, which pays commission to decorators, instead of going to a store that does not pay commission to the decorator.
+MJ, spends about 50% of her time on decorating projects and 50% on home staging , which often involves furnishing and decorating vacant homes that are for sale. For home staging, she occasionally uses an assistant - usually her husband - to lug in the accessories and help her hang the art, but she mostly handles the smaller projects on her own.
+With some of our extra income opportunities, you may find the same prejudice against grey hair that you find in the corporate world, which increasingly does not want to hire workers over 50. But there is little or no ageism in the interior decorating profession. AS got started in her 50s. ES started her interior design business at age 60 and kept at it until she decided to retire at age 72.
+How to Get Clients
+How do you market interior decorating services? AS says, "We all find clients differently - websites, talks at local events, social media, networking, and referrals." Many long-time decorators now get work only through referrals, while beginners take advantage of the many marketing channels available to see what works best for them.
+Build your clientele through referrals from real estate agents, architects, interior decorators, and happy clients.
+In the digital era, a website is often the cornerstone of any small business's marketing. Two things are useful for your interior decorating/staging website...
+First, have as many photos of rooms you have designed as you can. Keep hard copies, as well as online copies of an official portfolio so you can quickly show it off to a potential client.
+Second, optimize your website for local search. For instance, if you live in Mumbai optimize for the term "interior decorator in Mumbai" When clients are happy with your work, ask for a testimonial and permission to post it on your site.
+Interior decorator MK's first step when launching his business in 2010 was to build a website aimed at the younger clientele he wanted to work for. He says his site quickly resulted in contracts for decorating the interiors of three flats. He also got inquiries for decorating office spaces, new homes, sample flats in new buildings, and remodelling projects.
+An often-suggested marketing tactic is to write articles on your area of expertise, in this case home decorating and interior design. My wife published such an article in the local paper. It generated two phone calls but no actual assignments.
+Also check out our guide: Blogging Basics for Beginners
+The Next Steps
+If you've read this far, you probably have the "decorating bug" and love all things involving decorating, design, homes, and colour. And that's a start. If you don't yet have the "bug," you could still develop an interest. But most who do interior decorating have a passion and aptitude for design before getting into it.
+Unless you already have a certificate for interior decorating, find a local institute or vocational college offering courses in interior decorating and that have certificate programs. You're likely going to need some sort of certificate or license to get the designer discounts from suppliers, if that's something you want to be able to offer to clients.
+Interior design requires a bachelor's degree from a four-year college. A master's degree is optional and those proficient in CAD are potentially paid more than those who aren't. But in the interest of full disclosure, we must reveal that some interior decorators render their services without having much, if any, formal training, let alone credentials.
+Typically, they become known in their circles for having good taste. Someone asks for interior decorating help and offers to pay them. They accept. And then they're off to the races. But the smart ones then go for the training and the credentials.
+You can do that as well, or go the other way. Get the education, get the training, get the certification, and then launch your interior decorating business.
+Here are a few interior design blogs which we think will help get those creative juices flowing -
+Rang Decor
+An Indian Summer
+Rajee Sood
+Celebrations Decor
+Sajavat
+Best,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #19: Make Rs. 600,000+ per Year Helping Businesses Market With Social Media ======
+There are 1.4 million users on Facebook. 347 million on LinkedIn, 300 million on Instagram, and 288 million on Twitter. And every year, a new platform breaks onto the scene and draws millions more.
+So, whether you love social media or loathe it, one thing is certain: It's a sign of the times.
+And it's not only individuals who are using it. American businesses are using the platforms to reach their consumers in new and inventive ways.
+In 2014, these businesses spent $7.3 billion on social media marketing. Forrester Research predicts that number will rise to $16.2 billion in 2019.
+In India too, social media is becoming an important aspect of most advertising and marketing strategies for individual and corporate brands. It's no longer a trend, its becoming necessity for the survival of most brands.
+An article by PRNewsWire  says: Social media advertising spend in India stood at US$0.1 billion by end of 2014, accounting for 15.6% of total online advertising.
+The problem is: Most business owners, busy with their core activities, don't have the time, inclination, or skills to keep up with the fast-changing world of social media. They may have built their businesses using traditional advertising and simply may not understand how to translate their marketing plan to today's platforms.
+The solution? They outsource their social media work to outside managers or consultants. And that creates a tremendous opportunity for individuals to provide social media services.
+According to marketing expert MaryEllen Tribby, the demand for social media skills is hot, and more than 91% of businesses are looking for someone to help them manage their social media. In fact, all you need to do is run a quick job search in Monster for "social media," and you'll see how many thousands of listings come up!
+And not only is the work plentiful; it's also lucrative.
+Kate Buck Jr., a top social media manager, makes over $100,000 (approx. Rs. 60 lac) per year. She now has a second lucrative business training other people to be independent social media managers.
+ZC became an independent social media manager after taking Kate's training. Within three months, he was making over $5,000 (approx Rs. 3 lac) per month.
+In India, the figures may not be so high, but the work is plenty. And if executed strategically can easily bring in Rs. 30,000 - 50,000 per month.
+Kajal, a solopreneur specialising in social media, has 3-4 clients on retainership every month. Between blogging, providing social media strategies and implementing it, she earns atleast Rs. 20,000 from each client per month.
+And she started similarly, trying one client at a time in the spare time she got after a job.
+Let's look more closely at this burgeoning field and see what it has to offer.
+The Expanding Landscape of Social Media
+Facebook allows users to share opinions, photos, life events and more with other users within their network of contacts. Businesses can build pages for users to keep track of events, discounts, and more.
+With a Twitter profile, you can create quick, public updates of 140 characters or less. Anyone on the platform can view your updates and communicate with you.
+Pinterest is an image-based platform. Users create "boards" which they share with other users. These act like collections of thoughts and ideas. The platform is especially popular for cooking, fashion, and crafting.
+Instagram is a photo-sharing site that allows users to publish photos publicly or privately. Users can create hashtags to alert other users to their content.
+YouTube is a video-sharing platform owned by Google. By creating a quick Google account, users can upload videos, create channels, follow other users, and comment.
+Flickr is a photo-sharing site owned by Yahoo. With a simple Yahoo address, users can upload photos to share with other users. The site also has extensive digital collections from museums and archives.
+Tumblr is a blogging platform owned by Yahoo. Unlike other blogging sites, Tumblr is image-centric. Users can easily re-blog content to their feeds to share with others.
+Vine, owned by Twitter, is a video platform for sharing mini 6-second video clips. Six seconds might not sound like much, but users and brands have created surprisingly compelling content.
+LinkedIn is a professional networking platform for sharing resumes, ideas, job announcements, and more. The site is an important tool for both individuals and brands looking to promote themselves.
+So, What Is "Social Media"?
+In traditional media, the networks and publishers distribute content to their audiences. That content is absorbed by the individual on a range of platforms such as television, radio, magazines, or websites. These individuals may talk about the content with friends or family, but by and large, they experience it alone.
+Social media platforms changed all this. Instead of relying on, say, NBC to bring a new television series to their living room, individuals could broadcast their own content. They could star in their own TV shows, post their own photos, and build their own networks of groupies.
+They could also curate their own content, picking and choosing from an infinite array of media.
+The traditional media landscape had officially disintegrated.
+At first, advertisers didn't know quite what to do. For decades, they had relied on traditional media to promote brands to the masses. Now, they were attending panicked conferences to discuss how to yank back their control.
+But a few brands realized they could use social media to their advantage. Rather than fear the new media, they used it as a tool for reaching out to their customers on a more honest and personable level.
+Today, the term "social media" refers to a range of media technologies including blogs, business networks, enterprise social networks, forums, microblogs, photo sharing, product/service review forums, social bookmarking, social gaming, social networks, video sharing, and virtual worlds.
+The communities within each of these platforms have shifted the power and influence in online commerce from the marketers to the users. For example, in a recent episode of the TV show Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer told a bar owner reviews from the three top bar bloggers in his region could make or break his business.
+Similarly a restaurant owner in India, Priyank Sukhija adds, "The online mechanism is quite powerful, but instead of fearing it, we try to use it to our advantage. Appreciation and criticism both go hand in hand. Going online is right now the strongest way to get your voice heard." (Source: The Times of India)
+And when a website would not allow me to return a defective item for refund, I criticized the company on my blog. Within 10 minutes, I got an email from the CEO saying he would send me a replacement item for free if I removed the negative post from my blog. Prior to social media, consumers didn't have that kind of power.
+What's a #Hashtag?
+On most social media sites, users use "hashtags" to attract visitors to their publicly available content and to contribute to trending topics.
+When publishing a post, simply add a hashtag symbol (#) with a keyword. For example, if you publish a photo of the new cookie at Sweetish House Mafia, you might write a nice description of their mouth-watering chocolate chips. Then you can add the following to the post: #chocolate chip, #cookies, #SHM.
+Other cookie fanatics might be searching the network for some of these terms. Though they may not know Sweetish House Mafia, they can now discover your post. They may even "like" it or start following you.
+You can be inventive with your hashtags to stand out from the noise. You'll be surprised that even quirkier hashtags find plenty of followers. For example, these hashtags all have more than 50,000 posts on Instagram right now: #notavegetarian, #dietstartstomorrow, #fingerlickingood.
+And every day, new hashtags are "trending" across the Internet. That means people are using certain hashtags to contribute to a larger conversation across the Web. For example, in January 2015, activists around the world used the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie to create a global movement against terrorism.
+On most platforms, you can see which hashtags are currently trending. You can pick up followers by using these trends to your advantage and communicating with other users. Remember: The key to social media is that it is social. In other words, it pays to communicate with people about the issues that matter most to them.
+Why Being a Freelance Social Media Manager
+Is a Great Extra Income Opportunity
+So... are you cut out to be a social media manager?
+As I always like to remind our subscribers, when Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months to determine the specific criteria each and every opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria to see if the social media manager opportunity passes our litmus test.
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+Even if you don't know the difference between a pin and a tweet, you can still become a successful independent social media manager.
+Through some diligent self-study, you can master the skills you need. You don't need a college degree or even a certification.
+In fact, most people who manage corporate social media accounts have taught themselves the skills all on their own.
+One great source for information and education is The Social Media Examiner, billed as the largest online magazine covering social media. It provides excellent tutorials and research.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+As a social media manager, you do not have to travel to clients' offices or meet with them in person. However, if a business is located close to your home, the client may prefer that you do so.
+As long as you have a PC with a high-speed Internet connection and a telephone, you can do your job as an independent social media manager without leaving your house.
+When clients trust you enough to give you their passwords to their social media accounts, you can add content and make posts for them from your own office; no need to necessarily go to theirs. This means you can work for clients in other states or even other countries.
+Third: You can choose to work part time or on the weekends.
+"You can start part time [in social media consulting] so you don't have to quit your day job," says Tribby. "If you do quit your day job, you can quickly grow to full-time earnings with part-time hours."
+Theoretically, a stay-at-home mom or dad could offer social media services for only a few hours per week to earn an extra income, working with maybe only one or two small clients. But managing social media for a larger company that is active on multiple social networks will require a bigger time commitment.
+The degree of difficulty also has a bearing on how much time you must spend on the account. If the client just wants a couple of 300-word blog posts every week, you can knock these out and post them in an hour or two. Other assignments, like building a YouTube channel for a company from scratch, could be bigger projects.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+Nearly all social media platforms are free. This means it's easy to sign up and tinker with them in order to hone your skills. When you get ready to reach out to clients, you can do so for very little startup capital.
+In fact, ZC says he started his social media business with zero initial capital investment. Again, if you already have a computer with a broadband Internet connection, you're basically in business!
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs. 1,500-5,000 per hour.
+Some people view social media as an arcane skill mastered only by a select few. Others think social media is something anyone can do.
+As a result, fees paid to independent social media managers are all over the lot, ranging from Rs. 1,500 per hour on the low end to Rs. 5,000 per hour on the high end. According to the Content Factory, a social media freelancer can earn Rs. 3-5 lac per year, depending on the hourly rate and the number of hours worked per week.
+And here's a bonus: While some fields are becoming overcrowded, social media management is only expanding. New social networks pop up almost monthly, and few people really understand how to get results with them. One social media consultant can be an expert in Facebook, while another specializes in Pinterest and Instagram. You can create your own niche.
+One social media consultant I met does just one thing: get her clients more followers on Twitter. Another gets his clients more first-level connections on LinkedIn. A third does nothing except write LinkedIn profile pages.
+By dedicating yourself to mastering social media, you gain a highly marketable skill that can easily earn you a six-figure income. Importantly, you don't need to master the whole of social media to break the Rs. 6 lac per year mark.
+What Do Social Media Managers Do?
+There are several reasons why clients hire social media consultants. If a businessperson does not know much about social media and does not have the time to figure it out on her own, she may hire a social media consultant to get her social media campaign going.
+"Social media is intimidating," says Socially Smitten, a social media marketing agency. "It is vast and unknown and way too complicated for its own good." As a result, businesses feel uneasy about doing it themselves and hire social media managers to do it for them.
+Social media managers perform a wide range of tasks. For example, they help companies get more Facebook friends and likes, more Twitter followers, or more LinkedIn connections.
+Depending on the needs of the client, they could be responsible for both creating content and promoting content. Here are some of the things they may need to do:
+Educate the client on social media and using social networks in marketing.
+Design and write visually appealing and mentally stimulating content for business pages.
+Help the client identify and reach their audience.
+Create a strategic social media marketing plan including a posting schedule.
+Post and comment regularly.
+Monitor social media traffic to determine what is working and what needs to be changed.
+Tailor content for different platforms (e.g., Twitter vs. Facebook).
+Communicate with the online audience in a friendly and diplomatic manner.
+WM, an Internet marketing consultant, focuses on both boosted posts as well as advertising on Facebook. Some of her ads are designed to build e-lists, while others sell products directly.
+LR offers what she calls "scalable social media consulting." Instead of working with clients one on one, she makes instructional videos that her clients can watch to learn what to do in social media. She now provides, through the online videos, social media help for thousands of people around the globe.
+JB is ranked No. 8 on Forbes' list of the World's Top 40 Social Marketing Talent. His blog receives over 5 million page views per year and is read in over 200 countries. He has more than 320,000 Twitter followers.
+NS is another recognized leader in business social media. He has been recognized as a Forbes Top 50 Social Media Power Influencer. His clients range from small startups and solopreneurs to Fortune 500 companies.
+In India, Harsh Agrawal who has been featured in the Startup eSeries, is among the Top 3 bloggers. His informative, extensively researched and entertaining style of writing appeals to many, He specialises in technology and has become an online 'guru' of sorts.
+Likewise you'll find a list of Indian social media management companies who have become increasingly popular in their cities, bagging clients as big as Airtel, Kellogs, Tata Motors, Shoppers Stop etc. Check out this link to read more.
+How to Be a Media Maven
+You don't have to be a professional photographer or a graphic designer to succeed at producing social media content. In fact, most social media content is produced using cellphone cameras and easy online tools.
+Instead of worrying about the quality of images, focus more on their substance. Are they interesting or thought provoking in some way? Will they generate positive discussion?
+Some sites like Instagram even allow you to use fun and forgiving filters that can make a mediocre photo really pop.
+In addition, online tools like Canva can help you create visually appealing ads, posts, memes, and more. For example, check out this easy ad we made in just under two minutes:
+ jobs posted online
+Many social media consultants often promise what I call "soft results." For example, they guarantee more views of a client's LinkedIn profile, more Twitter followers, or more blog subscribers. They don't, however, promise specific numbers of new prospects or clients, or volumes of sales.
+Social Media Examiner suggests social media ROI can be measured in a number of ways. These include customer acquisition, lead generation, clicks, revenue, contest entries, online purchases, filled-out contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, PDF downloads, social interactions, video views, and more.
+Social media consultants also use a range of inexpensive online tools to analyze these metrics with impressive sophistication. You can learn more about these programs here.
+How to Acquire Clients
+How do you get companies to hire you to manage their social media marketing?
+To begin with, if you want to promote your ability to get your clients more friends, followers, and connections on social networks, start by building your own. If you tell a client you can get him hundreds of new first-level connections on LinkedIn, and he sees you have only 25 yourself, your credibility is totally shot.
+If, however, a client sees you have 500 connections on LinkedIn and 3,000 Twitter followers, for example, he or she will immediately understand your value.
+It goes without saying the content on your personal profiles should be professional and positive. While these may indeed be your "personal" sites, you need to remember you are selling yourself as a brand. So, refrain from controversial views, vulgar jokes, or inappropriate rage!
+In addition to building your own online profiles, you should also build a portfolio of content you can share with clients. Explain to clients how you have used this content to drive likes, shares, and impressions on various social networks.
+(If you're going after your first client and don't have any of this kind of data yet, simply create mock-ups for well-known brands. You can then show your client your ideas for how you would promote, say, McDonald's if you were in charge of its online presence.)
+Here are some other tips for how you can acquire clients:
+CD advises going to the small businesses in your area you patronize, such as your dentist or accountant. Ask them what their social media strategies are. Many will say they don't have one. That opens the door for you to pitch them on your social media management services.
+Or, if they have an existing online strategy but you think it needs some work, you can pitch yourself as the person who can fix it. For example, a lot of excellent restaurants receive terrible reviews on Yelp and Facebook. You can bill yourself as the person who will repair a damaged online presence.
+Another strategist, DP, targets potential clients by industry rather than geography. He advises specializing in one particular industry. When you get your first client in that industry, pull out all the stops to make them successful. Then ask them for a video testimonial.
+Armed with that video testimonial, go to other companies in the same industry. "When they see the amazing testimonial, they will jump at the opportunity to work with you." But an important warning: Do not work for companies that are direct competitors with your client in that industry.
+Many social media managers go into too much detail about the mechanics of the various social networks when meeting with potential clients. AN says this is a mistake.
+"Always focus on the benefits, not the mechanics, when you speak to business owners," AN says. "What they want is more sales and higher profits. A business owner will pay more for a way to stay in touch with their customers than for a website or fan page."
+Other services you can offer as a social media manager include:
+Creating and managing a company page on LinkedIn.
+Building and managing Twitter accounts.
+Monitoring your clients' online reputations.
+Starting to use Pinterest and Instagram.
+Creating a check-in special on FourSquare.
+Submitting the client's website to local business directories like Justdial.
+What Works in Social Media
+In his book Smart Social Media, Lasse Rouhiainen writes that the main element for a successful Facebook page "is publishing interesting, educational, and entertaining content."
+Most companies already have a lot of content that can be repurposed for Facebook and other social media sites. For example, white papers, articles, blog posts, email newsletters, website FAQs, press releases, and videos can all be interesting for audiences.
+However, it's important to remember, as a social media manager, you need to think about what kind of content will be most interesting to your audience. Social media is social, which means, like all social experiences, it's at its best when it is authentic and candid.
+So, for example, rather than publish a photo of a slick CEO in the perfect corporate pose, it can be much more beneficial to publish a photo of that CEO stuffing herself with some mithai at the company Diwali party.
+After Facebook, Rouhiainen ranks YouTube as the second most effective social media site. He notes that online videos are 53 times more likely to get a first-page Google ranking than a text page - not surprising considering Google owns YouTube.
+To get started on YouTube, Rouhiainen recommends that you begin with short videos lasting no longer than two minutes. "Consumers have short attention spans," he says. "Often, they will not watch longer YouTube videos to the end." In fact, the odds of even 1,000 people watching your YouTube video in a month's time are only 3%.
+A Few Rules for Social Media
+Just as you've made mistakes at your friend's cocktail party, you will make mistakes in social media. It happens to everyone.
+For example, when Ray Rice made national headlines by pummeling his fiancée in 2014, DiGiorno's Pizza sent out a message on Twitter that implied domestic abuse victims should stay with their partners to get pizza!
+In India, we saw the outrage against Bolywood star Salman Khan's politically incorrect tweets defending Yakub Memon, the death row convict of the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. His tweets got him so much flak that it almost jeopardised the success of his latest film Bajrangi Bhaijan and had many on social media insinuating that he was a terrorist too. Salman then had to apologise and do what he could to salvage his online reputation.
+Most social media snafus blow over within a few days (or hours), but some can cause serious damage to a brand's identity. And many social media managers have been fired for their mistakes.
+So, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
+Understand anything uploaded online exists forever (or close to forever) on the Web. Even when posts are deleted, they remain in Google's cache and can be easily retrieved by people who want to give you a bad day.
+Avoid using curse words or derogatory phrases.
+Never reveal confidential or proprietary information about your clients.
+Share your name and email, but avoid sharing your address or phone number.
+Discuss with your client whether to use "I" or "we" when posting. Most clients will prefer that you use "I" because if you post anything inappropriate, they can easily clean their hands!
+Be sure to give credit if you use a quote, photo, or other content. The Web is full of copyright poachers, and the practice is highly frowned upon.
+Remember, anonymity is rarely guaranteed on the Web. If you post something inflammatory under a pseudonym, hackers can often find a way to uncover your identity.
+If you feel any doubt about a post, avoid it.
+Remember, connotations can easily be misconstrued in writing. Avoid sarcasm at all costs.
+Avoid using a brand's profile to comment on sensitive political issues or holidays.
+Understand the connotation of a hashtag before using it. If used wrongly, the meaning of your words could be misconstrued.
+And finally, never post when you've been drinking! Even one glass can make you say things you'll regret.
+If you do make a mistake, recognize it and apologize immediately. As we've all seen too many times, a half-baked apology will only prolong your torment. Get it over with quickly by saying, "I was wrong, I am sorry, and here's why you're right to be upset."
+The Next Steps
+Working as a social media manager is a good income opportunity for five main reasons:
+First, social media marketing is exploding. So you are entering a growth market and capitalizing on a very hot trend.
+Second, social media is important to many businesses. Even if they don't do much in social media now, they feel under pressure to be more active in social media. So the demand for assistance implementing social media marketing campaigns is high.
+Third, a large number of businesses find social media complicated, do not understand how to use it, and don't have the time or inclination to learn. They'd rather hire you to do it for them.
+Fourth, while there is a lot to learn, you can master social media through self-study and practice. You do not need a college degree, certification, or license to offer your services as a social media manager.
+And fifth, the social media manager is one of the highest-paying income opportunities we have profiled in the Extra Income Project. Making a six-figure income within a year or less of starting your social media consultancy can happen, and people have done it. Maybe you can, too.
+Sincerely,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #20: Get Paid to Point Out Spelling Errors ======
+H.G. Wells once said, "No compulsion in the world is stronger than the urge to edit someone else's document."
+If editing copy is the greatest human urge, then the compulsion to point out spelling errors and other typos is a close second.
+I am constantly bombarded with emails from eager readers who take unbridled joy in pointing out a typo they have found in one of my hundreds of websites, articles, books, or newsletters.
+Do you love correcting people's misspellings and bad grammar? If so, why not turn your passion into profit - by hiring yourself out as a professional proofreader?
+You can satisfy your fervent desire to point out the mistakes others make in their written communication. And you can collect a respectable hourly wage doing so.
+Is the Proofreading Business for You?
+As I remind you in each of these articles, when Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They determined the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well the proofreading business passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+Proofreading is not especially difficult. You need to be a good speller and have a command of standard written English.
+You also need to have patience and a good eye for detail - the ability to pick out something amiss, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant. I am a good speller and writer, but I could not be a professional proofreader: I am not a nitpicker. And, I find proofreading boring.
+But if you do not... and you actually enjoy poring over documents, looking for mistakes... proofreading may be a good part-time or even full-time business for you.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+You do not need to rent an office. This is an ideal home business.
+Most clients are happy to send you the documents as attached files via email; a few want their proofreaders on site. But there are more than enough of the former to keep you busy all week long, so you can work at home and commute to a client's office seldom or even never - it's your call.
+In point of fact, proofreading is actually better suited to a solitary home office than a cubicle in a corporation. It requires a level of continuous, focused concentration that few other tasks demand, and silence is almost mandatory for its performance.
+Third: You can choose to work part-time or on the weekends.
+With proofreading, the answer is yes to both. You can start with just a few small jobs, then take on as many or as few additional projects as you like. Proofreading can be a pleasant, easy way to make some extra cash in your spare time or a route for escaping the corporate rat race.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+The startup costs are low indeed. You need a computer with a high-speed Internet connection, plus a couple of good dictionaries and some other reference guides.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs 1,500-5,000 per hour.
+Proofreading won't pay you Rs 5,000 per hour. But proofreaders can earn anywhere from Rs 1,000-2,000 per hour, though most jobs are in the Rs. 1,000-Rs. 1,500 per hour range. The high end is reserved almost exclusively for legal and medical proofreading.
+Getting Started in the Proofreading Business
+The requirements for being a proofreader are few and far between; there is virtually no barrier to entry.
+Yet the field is not grossly competitive. Yes, there are proofreaders available to me if I go out and look for them. But I am not bombarded by pitches for proofreaders, as I am by website designers and other services.
+Please know that the work you've done for us is extremely appreciated and like many others before me have commented, it feels like I've been looking for you and your organisation for my whole life. Thank you very, very much. - Club member T. C.
+The reason, I suspect, is that most people find proofreading an unwholesome mental chore to be avoided at any cost. So though many people could do it, very few want to. That's good news for you, whether you're proofreading just for the money or you actually enjoy it.
+"Particular to proofreading is that you can't usually do it with other people around, as it's really concentrated work," says Liz Broomfield, an experienced proofreader and editor. She notes that proofreading can be repetitive if you're working on one huge text or lots of material on the same subject.
+She says proofreaders must have a high attention span and a very high boredom threshold, though she adds, "I'm not saying the work is boring. I love it. But some people would be bored silly by it."
+While not a highly specialized skill, there are ways to prepare for a career in proofreading. An article on www.wikihow.com suggests high school courses in English, journalism, and literature; for medical proofreaders, I would add biology and chemistry. Doing crossword puzzles is good training because it gives you familiarity with many words and their meanings.
+I've already described the bare-bones basics you need to be a professional proofreader: a computer and high-speed Internet connection. You'll also need Word (most of your clients write in Word) with Microsoft Office Suite (so you can proof PowerPoint, though not a lot of clients ask for that), a fax machine (for clients who want you to proof hard copy only documents, which is rare but does happen), and a good dictionary.
+There are a lot of dictionaries on the market and all can serve you well. Merriam-Webster is highly thought of, as is Webster's New World College Dictionary. I have the massive two-volume unabridged Oxford Dictionary - not the condensed version - and believe it is the best and most complete dictionary available. You can also consult online versions of most dictionaries.
+Some clients may want you to follow one of the standard style manuals, usually the Associated Press Stylebook. These stylebooks will tell you which system to follow and how to retain consistency throughout the document. For example, numbers one through nine are spelled out, while numbers 10 and up are written in numerical form. There are dozens of rules.
+This leads me to a quick pointer: On your first job as a proofreader, make sure you are well aware of the publication's style guides and rules. No editor wants to have to reproof a proofreader's work, not because it's wrong, but because it doesn't adhere to their style guidelines. And with unforgiving editors, that's the quickest way of not getting repeat business... next to proofreading errors.
+A Roget's Thesaurus should also be part of your proofreader's reference shelf. You may find editors occasionally repeat the same word multiple times across a single paragraph or two. You'll want to be sure to catch those, and your editor will be grateful if you substitute another word choice.
+You also need the basics used by anyone in a small professional services business. These include a phone, letterhead, business cards, and today, a website. You can get away with not having a website, but in my humble opinion, it is a mistake not to have one.
+Reason: Many people looking for a proofreader will Google "proofreader." If you do not have a site optimized for that term, they won't find you.
+Does it go without saying that a proofreader's website must be 100% free of typos? Even one will instantly disqualify you.
+The Wrong Way to Get Proofreading Clients
+I have dozens of websites with hundreds of Web pages, and I have also written almost seven dozen published books. Therefore, proofreaders see me as a potential client and do approach me from time to time. And all of them do it the wrong way.
+What they do is write often-snarky emails telling me about a typo they found in one of my books or websites, insinuating that I am inept at proofreading and that I should hire them immediately. I have never hired a person taking this approach and never would. My business colleagues say they would not either.
+What these proofreaders do not understand about my websites is that those typos are there not because we cannot proofread, but because proofing every page on every site is low on our priority scale.
+What they do not understand about my books is that I do not proofread the galleys; a proofreader at the publishing house does that, and I have no control over it.
+Also, my average book is 250 pages, which is 100,000 words. If a proofreader is outraged that she finds one typo in 100,000 words, she is not living in the real world.
+What I have learned from all these unsolicited criticisms, though, is that there is a subset of people who absolutely love finding mistakes in writing and pointing them out to the writer or publisher. If you share this love, then you might find proofreading is the most fun you can have in this world!
+Mastering the Skill
+While one typo in a 250-page book is forgivable though not desirable, one typo in a 10-page document is not. As a proofreader, you are forgiven less for mistakes than almost any other profession. So to get repeat business and referrals, you have to be meticulous at your craft and strive for as close to 100% accuracy as you can.
+Become familiar with the standard proofreading marks here.
+In addition, as I mentioned earlier, some publishers and corporate clients have specific style guides that you must follow when correcting their documents. Remember: If a client uses a particular style guide, whether an off-the-shelf reference or their own in-house guide, your corrections must make the copy conform to their preferred style.
+One of the best things I like about your club is the easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions including links on where to get formal training if you need it! Nicely done, keep up the excellent work. - Club member K. K.
+As a writer, I like to proofread and correct my documents on the screen. But freelance editor Barbara Every says she prefers to print and proof hard copies.
+"Print out the proofs," she instructs. "Even if you are making a PDF file electronically, work with a printout first. Errors that are missed on screen often 'jump out' on paper."
+Every suggests working with a printout of the manuscript, the publisher's instructions or style guide, a ruler, and a coloured pen (I prefer a red or blue pencil). If you find it preferable to edit on your computer, use Word's "Track Changes" and "Comment" features. Click here for a video tutorial on how to use this excellent tool.
+Proofreading is a business of details. You do not just proof the text. You must also proof all tables, illustrations, charts, and footnotes. Make sure the graphs and tables are in the right place and that the titles, captions, and figure numbers are correct. Double-check scientific notations, symbols, and especially equations.
+The top proofreaders have a secret: They proofread the document twice. Says Every, "A surprising number of errors can be found in the second round." If you do proofread twice, wait 24 hours after the first proofing before doing the second proofing. If you are not fresh, you risk missing mistakes."
+Attention to detail is critical, says Every: "Read each word of text, each sentence, and each paragraph slowly and carefully. Place a ruler under each sentence as you work, or cover all of the text but the sentence you are proofreading with a blank piece of paper."
+Some Right Ways to Get Started as a Proofreader
+Proofreading, like most professional services, does not "sell itself." You must go out and market yourself to get clients and assignments.
+The first step is to identify your niche or target market. The two highest-paying proofreading specialties are legal and medical.
+For legal editing, your potential clients are law firms and legal publishers. For medical proofing, it could be hospitals, medical schools, universities, pharmaceutical companies, and medical research facilities. Most proofreaders in these specialties have some background in law or medicine; for instance, medical proofreaders may have a B.S. or even M.S. in microbiology or biochemistry.
+Book and magazine publishers have a need for proofreaders, and an even larger market today is e-commerce companies: Some large retail or business-to-business websites have hundreds or even thousands of pages, which change frequently, and proofreaders are needed to keep them error-free.
+You might also search for websites with a lot of written content on a day-to-day basis, for example, news sites.
+Send a letter and resume to marketing directors at these organisations and/or to the owners of the websites, offering to handle their proofreading. Here is a slightly risky but attractive guarantee: Promise the proofread document they get back will be 100% error-free or it will cost them nothing.
+To make this guarantee, you have to be specific. For instance, define what dictionary is considered to have correct spelling, lest they point to an obscure dictionary that contradicts your spelling of a word.
+Moving Up: Freelance Copy Editing
+A proofreader is responsible for correcting mechanical errors in writing, such as spelling mistakes and bad grammar.
+One step up the editorial ladder from proofreaders, copy editors do more than just correct manuscripts with a red pencil. They also edit and rewrite to make the text flow smoother and sound better, usually using the "Track Changes" feature in Word. Proofreader and editor Liz Broomfield describes copy editing as "playing with the order of words to make the most elegant sentence."
+But as a copy editor, you must be judicious in your rewrites. The goal is to improve the writing while preserving the author's voice and style, not rewrite it in your own voice and style. Fees for freelance copyeditors range from Rs 1,000-1,500 per page (an A4 size document with approximately 600 words) and up. The consensus is that proofreading is more straightforward and mechanical, while copyediting is somewhat more interesting and enjoyable.
+Ultimately, copy editors can move even higher up the food chain in the publishing and business worlds. In book publishing, for instance, a copy editor might graduate to book acquisitions editor, where you read manuscripts submitted to your publishing house and decide whether your company should publish them. Or you can be a development editor who works directly with authors to help them write a better book.
+Both proofreaders and copy editors have promising opportunities in almost any economy. With the way content is being published online and offline on a daily basis, the demand for these services is here to stay.
+And if you're passionate about language, here's an extra income opportunity you will not only enjoy but also profit from. Sincerely,
+Bob Bly
+Editor's Note: This business opportunity has immense potential in India. In fact, I remember when I first started working in a publishing house, we had a proofreader who came in every evening for just an hour and looked over the day's articles. He got paid by the word and came in post his job hours. We gave him printouts, he used his ruler and red pen and marked out all the changes for us to incorporate.
+This still happens today and websites like EditingIndia.com will take you through the entire process of how to proofread and charge your clients. Additionally, your resume can be uploaded on all the local job portals like Linkedin.com, Shine.com, Freelancer.in or better still Outsource2India.com for foreign clients.
+So take out your red pens and get started!
+Best,
+Ritika Bajaj
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #21: Life's a Party and You Can Help Plan It... for Pay ======
+Every day of the year, thousands of business meetings and social events take place across the country. In the US alone, about 1.2 million events occur annually, attended by 205 million people.
+I'm sure being the large and diverse land that India is, with multiple celebrations and festivals, there are many more events planned and an even greater demand for event planners. The wedding industry itself is a huge one and constantly looking for newer innovations and event planners.
+In fact, according to an article in The Economic Times, industry experts peg the annual wedding and event spend in India at around Rs 1,500-1,800 crore. And they project that the event management industry itself should touch Rs 5,000 crore by 2015.
+Not all events need a professional planner, but most medium- and large-sized events do. If there are more than a couple of dozen attendees, you can't just wing it. Instead, you have to plan everything, from reserving the meeting space and sending out the invitations, to planning the menu and taking registrations.
+Big corporations and associations usually have event and meeting planners on staff. But other organizations, such as mid- to small-sized companies, hire freelance planners. Individuals who want to host weddings or other large parties also hire freelance planners.
+With a little research, you can develop yourself as a freelance event planner and make good money. And if you are creative, you'll be able to build a freelance business that really pops.
+One woman, FD, was a meeting planner for a trade association. When she decided to branch off independently, she became a freelance manager for small associations. A large part of that job entailed planning meetings for the associations.
+Another woman, RH, built a freelancing business that specializes in events and launches for tech companies and related businesses. For a fashion company launching a line of four new fragrances, she arranged a gourmet dinner based around ingredients in the scents. She even hosted an event on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
+Geetika Chhatpar featured in the Startup eSeries runs a successful event management company in India called Pyjama Party Productions. She first started out with a party paraphernalia store and then went on to plan events for friends and family. Soon the events and clients got bigger and today she organises theme parties for weddings and corporates and spices them up with her distinct creative edge.
+LV runs a successful international event production company. The budgets for her events range from several lakh and touch a few crore, and she receives a percentage of the total event cost.
+Joined the Wealth Builders Club India, and choose an opportunity from the Extra Income Project. I've done very well after following the "Importing Goods From China" strategy. And I've just gotten started. Good luck. - Club member AC
+HL, a musician, put together an interesting version of an event planning business. He had only achieved modest success as a musician, but then he decided to put together an orchestra that could provide live music at major events. HL's group does not make records or give concerts; they play only at meetings where they are paid a handsome fee to do so.
+DV, meanwhile, left a top corporate position to become a highly successful and well-paid wedding planner. She specializes in celebrity weddings, and has developed an impressive client list.
+If you're the kind of person who enjoys details and who strives to be organized, meticulous, and thorough... if you like people... and if you can come up with fun, creative ideas for things to do... then event and meeting planning may be an ideal business opportunity for you.
+Is Event and Meeting Planning for You?
+As I remind you in each of these articles, Mark Ford began the Extra Income Project because he wanted to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that goal, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They determined the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well the event planning business passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+Being an event or meeting planner is not prohibitively difficult. The primary attributes needed for success are attention to detail, good organizational skills, and an ability to get along with people. Specifically, you need to be able to negotiate with event attendees, speakers, and vendors - even when they are cranky and difficult. If you are also an idea person with a sense of creativity, you will have a big advantage.
+One of the biggest challenges with any event planning is making all the minute details come together smoothly. You have to coordinate dozens of different parts, from videotaping the awards ceremony to keeping the cocktail bar stocked.
+But while planning and running a meeting is a juggling act, nothing you juggle requires highly specialized training on your part. The aspects that require technical knowledge are typically outsourced to specialist vendors. For example, an audiovisual technician will likely oversee the microphone and lighting, while a professional speaker will likely act as the emcee.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+To become an event planner, you do not need to rent an outside office. You can run your freelance event planning business from a spare bedroom, basement office, or even the dining room table.
+Yes, if you have a nice outside office, clients can come to you, saving you travel time. But if not, you can meet them in their offices and do most of your planning at home. Of course, you must be on site before, during, and after the meeting to supervise everything.
+Third: You can choose to work part time or on the weekends.
+The number of days you work as a planner is determined by how many meetings and events you choose to schedule, which is something you can control. So, event and meeting planning can be either a part-time or a full-time gig for you. Some events do take place on weekends, but you will surely find most clients prefer their events during the work week.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+The startup costs are low, and there is little overhead to working as a freelance event planner. Vendors who supply products and services used at events and meetings - from tables and chairs to musical entertainment - will bill your client directly, so you won't have to lay out your own cash for anything.
+Like many service businesses we've profiled here, all you really need to start as an event planner is a desk, a phone, and a computer with a broadband Internet connection. Since you must be able to communicate with clients and vendors while on site at an event, a smartphone is a must. If you already have these things, and you work from a home office, you can probably start the business for under Rs. 20,000. You should also have business cards and a brochure about your services.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs. 25,000-Rs. 50,000 per event.
+Event planners make between Rs. 12 - 15 lakh per year, with an average salary of around Rs. 1 lakh.
+For a small event like a party, independent event planners are paid either a flat fee of Rs. 25 - 50,000 per event, or a percentage of the overall cost of the event. For larger events, like weddings, your invoice could well into many lakh.
+FD (mentioned earlier) has annual earnings in the high five figures. Some meeting planners make up to six figures.
+What Does an Event or Meeting Planner Do?
+Here's what's involved in planning a major business event or important meeting:
+First, you meet with the client to understand the purpose of the meeting or event. It is important that you understand exactly what the client wants to achieve from their event. You also need to understand the tone they want for the event. Remember, you need to follow their guidelines and preferences, and then act creatively within those boundaries.
+Second, you plan the scope of the event, including date, time, location, agenda, and budget. Some clients have a firm budget. Others know what they want and expect you to tell them what it will cost.
+Third, you coordinate with vendors who will provide the various services and products you need for the event. One Internet marketer built a seven-figure online income selling table favours for weddings. At one wedding, each table had a small glass bowl as part of the centerpiece; inside the bowl was a Siamese fighting fish that guests could take home at the end of the evening as a pet. Very cool!
+You solicit bids from venues and vendors including hotels, banquet halls, florists, photographers, DJs, magicians, jugglers, singers, and whatever else the occasion requires. The client must approve both your selection of venues and vendors, as well as the price for each item.
+You inspect the hotel or other meeting facility to ensure its suitability. In some cases, this may require getting on an airplane for an out-of-town event. The client foots the bill for your travels, and the hotel often "comps" your stay if you are the planner, so you don't pay for the room or meals.
+Prior to the event or meeting, you coordinate and confer with vendors and venue staff to arrange all the details, including rooms, transportation, and food service. When I managed trade show exhibits for companies, I had to worry about every little detail, down to ashtrays for the booths (people smoked back then) and electricity for our backlit booth graphics.
+Thank you for all the valuable information at WBC. I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with you and the other members of the team! I also believe that I have been offered this opportunity at the right stage of my life! - Club member TS.
+During the event, you monitor activities to ensure both your client and their attendees are satisfied, and that any problems are resolved quickly, correctly, and courteously. One dissatisfied attendee who complains angrily to the meeting planner can put a crimp in the day. If there are multiple complaints, and they are not handled well, you are unlikely to get a repeat assignment from that client.
+As the meeting planner, your tasks range from the big-picture planning to the nagging little details. One day, you may be sitting across the table from a company's senior management, planning the theme of a product launch or a company anniversary. A few weeks later, you could be behind the stage at the event, setting up audiovisual equipment for the speakers.
+After the event, you review all the vendor bills and approve them before turning the invoices over to your client for payment. You will need to negotiate and resolve any discrepancies.
+Getting Started as an Event or Meeting Planner
+There are several diploma and degree courses for event planning in India that range from a few months to over a year. While this certification can certainly be helpful, keep in mind that it is not a requirement.
+One great way to get started in the planning industry is to work for people you know. For example, LV got her start by planning small events for her network of friends and associates for free, then she graduated to charging high fees for major corporate shindigs.
+FD worked as a staff meeting planner at an association. When she went out on her own, she gained traction by writing a book on meeting planning for a major publishing house.
+You should also be sure to network with people in businesses and associations that might have meetings. Many event planners indicate that this is the most important part of their business model. Your networking may be less targeted and more widespread than in some other fields, because you truly never know which organizations need help nor who in the company is responsible for the event. An annual company sales meeting, for instance, might be the responsibility of a staff meeting planner, a human resources manager, or the sales manager.
+You should also introduce yourself to vendors. Many industries have bureaus that can help navigate this terrain. For example, reach out to speakers' bureaus, entertainment bureaus, and hotel management bureaus. Clients often ask these people for recommendations on meeting planners, so you can acquire business from their referrals. Remember to always give a nice gift when you get such a referral.
+Be sure to keep a running folder of testimonials from clients, whether you were paid or it was a freebie (but for goodness sake, don't say it was a freebie). Eventually, you can include this information on your brochure or website. Also be sure to maintain a list of the services you provide, photos of your events, and a brief bio of you or your company.
+I recommend you have similar content posted online on a website for your business; many people planning an event start their searches for help on the Web. Take and post short video clips of your event on your home page or a separate "sample events" page. Optimize your website for the right term to attract qualified leads; e.g., "Event Planner - Software Industry" if your niche is high-tech. Remember, you can build a website for free (or close to free) using a site such as WordPress or Squarespace.
+Do not ignore social media. Build up a list of LinkedIn connections, Facebook friends, and Twitter and Pinterest followers. Do not do any selling on these sites. Do give and share helpful tips on running successful events.
+Market yourself with content. You don't have to write a book. Do a short white paper or special report of event planning tips, or even a one-page checklist for event planning or management. Allow prospects to download free PDFs of your content from your website in exchange for giving you their contact information.
+Also ask on the download form if (and when) they have an event coming up. A prospect who has an event coming up is far more likely to hire you than someone who is thinking of an event but has not committed to it yet.
+What to Do Next
+Find a friend or an associate who has a small event or meeting coming up, and offer to help plan and manage it for free. In exchange, you want to be able to list them as a client, get a testimonial, use them as a reference, and show photos of the event on your website or in your brochure. Once you get three of these freebies under your belt, you can use the experience to get paid planning assignments.
+Consider starting off with smaller events and smaller venues. These can include small- to medium-sized weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, graduation parties, and retirement parties.
+These smaller events have fewer moving pieces and parts, and are a good place for novice planners to start since they are easier to do. Most don't pay as well as corporate and association events, though affluent people often spend small fortunes on weddings and some of these other special occasions.
+Sincerely,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #22 - Virtual Assistants: the New Secretaries of the 21st Century ======
+When I was a kid, my dad, who was an insurance agent, had a secretary named Carrie. I remember her being as old as Methuselah - who lived as long as 969 years according to the Hebrew Bible. (But she was probably only 60!). She typed over 100 words per minute on a manual typewriter, which amazed everyone.
+The 20th century model for having an assistant was to hire a secretary. Carrie worked in an office my father provided, at a desk and typewriter he bought for her use. That title later morphed to “administrative assistant.” This was still an employee on your payroll and working in your office.
+The 21st century model of the secretary/administrative assistant is the virtual assistant, or VA. She (or he) performs many of the same tasks as a secretary. But the VA is self-employed - a freelancer not on your payroll. Also, she works remotely from home and pays for her own work space and equipment.
+And while Carrie worked for my dad full time, today, most clients hire VAs on a part-time basis. So, to make a good living, most VAs have multiple clients.
+In India too, the concept is gaining ground and being used by both entrepreneurs and professionals who need to keep their books in order or track their personal correspondence. Several countries in fact outsource the function to India and pay handsomely in dollars!
+I know the VA profession well since I have been using VAs for decades. Jodi, my current VA, has been with me for more years than I can remember. She works full time for me - I am her sole client - handling all my VA needs. But she works from her home, which is over an hour away from mine, and I see her rarely.
+Before Jodi, I had Carolyn and Dick. Carolyn found clients by running classified ads in the local newspaper in which she billed herself as a “word processing service.” Dick was my virtual bookkeeper. Dick had been CFO of a local company, but lost his job to downsizing. No other company wanted to hire a CFO in his 60s at Dick's pay level, so he decided to freelance.
+Dick's case is not unusual. Many VAs are people who, for whatever reason - whether they were laid off or just got tired of their job - left a high-paying corporate job. And instead of looking for another, they become VAs. Many other VAs are women who have spent years as homemakers. They want to re-enter the work force, but through self-employment rather than on someone's payroll.
+MD left a secure 9-to-5 job in a bank to become a VA. She then expanded to offer additional services. These included consulting, online office support, social media, and website design.
+About 18 months after signing The Pledge, my net worth is approaching Rs 25 lac and growing... Without the club, I would not have this net worth to show for! The Wealth Builders Club is changing my life. - Club member CW.
+SC started her VA business in 1992. At first, she did data entry. Then she targeted contractors who worked out of their trucks, but she found that contractors did not pay her invoices on time. So in 1997, SC began targeting financial advisors, which are her current niche. The services she offers include general office administration and order fulfillment (some of her clients sell products).
+On-site secretaries are becoming an endangered species. The hot trend for small business owners is to hire virtual assistants.
+Why Becoming a VA Is a Great Extra Income Opportunity
+As I always like to remind our subscribers, when Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months to determine the specific criteria every opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria to see how well being a virtual assistant passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+Virtual assistants are essentially remote secretaries. They need a variety of skills, and, in the digital age, VAs have to master more tasks than in Carrie's day. These include using spreadsheets in Excel, typing in Word, creating PowerPoint presentations, maintaining customer and prospect files, and keeping the books on QuickBooks or other related programs. Carrie mainly typed, filed, and answered the phone.
+However, it's not nuclear physics or software engineering. If you are reasonably intelligent and computers don't scare you, you can be a VA.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+VAs work at home. That is why we call them "virtual" assistants.
+Yes, you get to work at home. But, a negative of being a VA versus an administrative assistant who commutes to an office: As a VA, you have to equip your home office out of your own pocket.
+That means you pay for your own computer, printer, scanner, photocopier, fax machine, phone, Internet access, and software. Clients will expect you to have the same software they do. If you get a new client who uses Microsoft Access and you don't have it, she will expect you to get it at your expense.
+Now, if you establish a long-term relationship with a client, they may help foot some of the bill for what you need to service them. Carolyn stored a lot of files for me, so when she needed new file cabinets for her home office, I paid for them.
+Third: You can choose to work part-time or on the weekends.
+You can definitely be a VA part time. There are many small businesses that want to hire administrative help for only a few hours per week. You can do some of the work on the weekends. But, clients do need their VAs to be available during work week business hours... not every minute, but enough that if clients call and leave a message, their VAs get back to them within a couple of hours.
+No matter how many hours you work, VAs do enjoy the benefits of flex time. Jodi, my VA, works for me over 30 hours per week. But as long as she gets the work done, I don't dictate to her when she works.
+This fits in with her lifestyle. Jodi is the mother of three young children. She spends a lot of time chauffeuring her kids to school, sports, and other activities. As a VA, Jodi can give full attention to her family while earning a good living. If she were in the corporate world, she would not have this degree of freedom.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+As a VA, you have to turn a spare room, into an office and equip it at your cost. But you can start with as little as a desk, a phone, a PC running Microsoft Office, and a file cabinet.
+You will also need business cards and a letterhead. Plus, you'll need to do some marketing to get clients. If you already own a PC, you can start a VA business for under Rs 25,000.
+Other than that, anyone can get started as a VA. There are no licenses, certifications, degrees, or special training - other than computer skills - required. Some VAs do acquire specialized skills, the more common ones being bookkeeping, database management, website design, and social media marketing.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs 1,500-5,000 per hour.
+You can, though Rs 5,000 is near the top of the range. Most VAs should be able to make a minimum of Rs 3,000 per day per client. There are two ways to increase your earnings as a VA. The first is to learn and offer a value-added skill.
+The International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) recommends VAs learn a broad range of software applications for bookkeeping and accounting, data management, desktop publishing, website design, and all the major Microsoft Office programs including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
+The IVAA also recommends learning additional skills, including proofreading, event planning, project management, search engine optimization, and social media marketing. As you work your way toward garnering more of these financially valuable skills, you’ll be of a greater value to your client(s) and can command higher pay.
+The second way to boost your income is to go beyond being a solo VA and hire other VAs who work under you. MD, mentioned earlier, has a VA company that now grosses around Rs 20 lakh per month.
+Getting Started as a VA
+There are three steps to getting started as a VA. The first is setting up your office with the necessary equipment and software, which we’ve discussed.
+The second is acquiring the necessary skills, which includes proficiency with the software VAs use.
+Fortunately, today, many local community colleges or high schools offer adult education extensions. These teach most of the skills described in this essay. And because these courses are not intended to earn one a degree, they are less expensive than regular college courses.
+Microsoft also provides free online training for its operating systems and applications software. You can check that out here.
+The third step in becoming a VA is to get clients. The three basic methods of getting clients as a VA are word of mouth, networking, and marketing.
+Start by telling everyone you know about your new VA business. You may find that spreading the word solely through your own acquaintances, friends, and family brings you all the business you need.
+The beauty about your delivery model is it provides options for the reader to take - continue to read or move on... As a Wealth Builders Club member, I now have a one-stop shop to take more calculated risks, all while cherry-picking the ideas that align to my temperament. Thanks and keep the ideas coming. - Club member G B.
+In some professions, getting clients is a challenge - but not so for virtual assistants. As you let people know you are available to help support their small businesses as a freelance administrative assistant, many will eagerly look to buy some of your time.
+The only problem is that a lot of these clients buy only small amounts of time, and do so sporadically. Much more desirable is to have a few clients who buy large chunks of your time - ideally at least a day per week - on a regular basis.
+For instance, when I first found Carolyn, she advertised herself as a freelance word processing service - really a typist - and did small project work like term papers for students. I called the number in her ad and said, "What kind of rate can you give me if I commit to buying 20 hours of your time per week and pay you a monthly retainer for it?" It was a great deal for her. Plus, it added a stability to her business that she previously did not have.
+Should you not be able to fill your book of business through word of mouth, you can do more proactive networking.
+In almost every town, there are networking groups where you can meet small business owners who are potential clients for your VA services.
+If word of mouth and networking alone don't bring you enough clients, you can do some marketing and self-promotion.
+DM primarily uses social media, including Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. But she also uses content marketing on YouTube, Vimeo, iTunes Podcasts, and her blog. She distributes news about her business using online press releases. SC says her primary marketing tool is her online newsletter.
+Don't neglect low-tech offline marketing. Send a postcard to small businesses within 5 kilometres of your home. Bullet list the services you offer. Or, like Carolyn, run small ads in your local newspaper or the region's business magazine.
+Instead of using an American to design my websites and manage the technical aspects of my online business, I hired DD. He's a VA in the Philippines. Many in America (and other countries) would hire Indians too, thus making it a lucrative opportunity for all you members there!
+I have dozens of small websites, so I keep him busy. But the monthly retainer is only a few hundred dollars. That's a small sum to me compared to what I would pay an American webmaster. But it's a handsome fee to him.
+Anybody who offers a professional service, especially one that runs on computers and the Internet - where it is not necessary to meet the client face to face - has competition today from overseas service providers. They can offer similar services at a small fraction of the cost.
+But even though the business is largely conducted remotely, most small businesses prefer to work with VAs who are local...within the same state, if not the same county. Jodi can get in the car and see me, which we find necessary a few times per year. I have never met DD face to face and probably never will.
+There are various professional platforms for VAs, including Task Barge, Ask Sunday, Habiliss and Get Friday Joining them gives you the opportunity to share experiences and best practices with your fellow VAs. And you can learn from those who are more experienced and advanced in their careers than you are.
+Sincerely,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #23: Make People Look Good on Paper - Write a Resume, Change A Life ======
+In 2015, approximately 1.9 million undergraduates completed school and prepared to enter the workforce. On top of that, 48% of employed Americans said they planned to change their jobs.
+But those aren't the only ripples to hit the job market: One in 20 Americans is unemployed and looking for work, and the average American changes jobs 11 times during his or her career.
+India has one of the biggest youth populations in the world. Millions graduate each year and not all receive employment through campus placements. Many are still waiting to be employed.
+All this job hunting is good news for this Extra Income Opportunity. Did you know you can make a nice freelance living helping all these job seekers write a resume?
+In her book, Resume Magic, Susan Whitcomb tells job seekers, "Writing your resume is an opportunity to write your future. This is your preordained appointment to update, advance, and 're-image' who you are. It's a time to ponder your passions, values, and hard-wired skills."
+LR, a former HR manager, runs a full-service resume-writing and job consulting firm. Her clients are high-achieving executives and professionals whom she helps land their next positions.
+BB started writing resumes in the 1980s for friends and families while she held a 9-to-5 job in human resources. She put up a website offering her resume-writing services in 2004 and became a certified professional resume writer in 2009.
+SM has been a resume writer so long, she wrote her early resumes on a typewriter! She says, "I am a certified professional resume writer and member of prestigious industry organizations. I have been recognized for my resume writing proficiency and job-market knowledge by being recruited as a speaker, presenter, and resume writer by many different types of organizations."
+The History of Resume Writing
+The oldest-known resume was created by Leonardo da Vinci in 1482. He included such skills as: bridge-making, sculpting, weapon-making, shipbuilding, and architecture. And what resume would be complete without catapult-making?
+XXX
+But it wasn't until the 1940s and 1950s that resumes became a more common part of the job search process.
+And as the 20th century progressed, technology like computers, fax machines, and the Internet forever changed the way we write - and share - our life accomplishments.
+Is Resume Writing for You?
+As I remind you in each of these articles, when Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure, and we've been working hard to fill it ever since.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They determined the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well resume writing passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+Resumes are brief and somewhat formulaic. You don't need a flair for creativity to write them. But you do need to be able to write cogent, articulate prose. When it comes to resumes, every word counts!
+Unless you consider yourself a bad writer with particularly poor spelling skills, you can learn to write resumes for money.
+You do not need any specialized training. No licensing, degree, or certification is required, though certifications are available and can be a selling point with clients.
+You don't need a specialized background or a proven track record as a writer to go into the resume business. However, having prior work experience as an executive recruiter, human resources professional, or career coach is certainly a plus. In fact, many executive recruiters and career coaches offer resume writing as part of their services.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+You do not need to rent an office. Freelance writing, including resume writing, is an ideal home business. You can meet with clients at your home or theirs, or even work remotely via phone, fax, Skype, email, or postal mail.
+You also need a computer. It should have a high-speed Internet connection. Resumes are often written using Adobe InDesign or other desktop publishing software. But Word works just fine.
+Third: You can choose to work part time or on the weekends.
+You can work as much or as little as you desire by limiting the number of clients you take on. You can write resumes full time during the day. Or, keep your 9-to-5 job and write resumes for spare-time income on evenings and weekends. It's up to you.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+The startup costs are low, and there is almost no overhead. If you already have a computer, you may have to invest a few thousand rupees in desktop publishing software and a high-resolution printer. Expenses such as business cards are minor. A website is recommended. You could also begin by creating a profile websites like Fiverr (fiverr.com), and build a client base.
+And Fifth: You should be able to make Rs 1,500-3,500 per resume
+The better and more successful resume writers can earn quite a decent living from it.
+The going rates for writing resumes for entry-level employees and new college graduates are in the range of Rs 1,000-2,000 per resume.
+For professional employees, like engineers and accountants, the range is Rs 1,500-2,500 per resume.
+The top money is in writing resumes for executives, where the range is Rs 2,500-5,000 per assignment.
+Independent resume writers earn between Rs. 3-5 lac per year, with the average being Rs 4 lac annually.
+If the client needs a cover letter, figure Rs 1,000 - 2,000 per letter.
+Job Searching in the 21st Century
+In the pre-Internet era, there were two primary job search techniques. The first was sending cover letters and resumes in response to help-wanted ads in the newspaper. The second was mailing resumes, cold, to potential employers and asking whether they had any positions open.
+Today, much of your clients' job searching takes place online. They are searching for jobs on CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
+Your clients need resumes they can post on these sites that will help them stand out from the noise. They also need to be able to print resumes to mail the old-fashioned way or to bring with them to job fairs and interviews.
+Today's job searchers also need to know how to manage their online reputations. In the 21st century, recruiters aren't just looking at a candidate's work achievements; they are also Googling that candidate to find out more about his or her past, social life, and family.
+As a resume writer, you can distinguish yourself by offering to help candidates fine-tune their social media profiles. If it's appropriate, consider adding links to these sites at the bottom of the resume.
+In addition, some job seekers are posting video resumes on YouTube. Again, writing these video resume scripts could be a value-added service you perform for your clients. But keep in mind, video resumes are mostly used in creative fields and, in the wrong circles, can even come across as overly eager or immature.
+Despite these online innovations in job hunting, don't scoff at the notion of printed resumes and cover letters. According to several career development experts, job hunting on the internet does not have a higher success rate than applying to help-wanted ads in newspapers and magazines.
+How to Write Strong Resumes
+In today's job marketplace, three out of four job applicants who submit a resume do not hear back from the employer. But sending a careful, well-crafted resume can certainly boost the likelihood of landing an interview.
+And that means knowing exactly how to articulate your accomplishments.
+In the late 1970s, resumes talked about education, job titles, and skills. Today, employers are more interested in the outcomes and results you achieved in your career.
+For this reason, the best resumes, show how an employee made or saved the company money, saved time, made work easier, solved specific problems, gave the company a competitive edge, attracted new customers, retained existing customers, or expanded the business.
+We scoured several sites and developed the following list of more tips for modern resume writing. We even ran the list past a few of our hiring managers who agreed with the advice:
+Keep it short - no more than one or two pages. Remember: The purpose of a resume isn't to land a job; the purpose is to land an interview. Recruiters receive more resumes than they can possibly read, so be brief and poignant.
+Make it easy to read - on a level any high school senior could understand.
+Be clear about what your current company and your particular division within it do. Not everyone may be familiar with them.
+Use 9- to 12-point Times New Roman black type on white paper. Go easy on boldface, italics, and underlining.
+Prepare the resume in a simple Word format. When your final version is ready, save it as a PDF. Not every office computer can read .docx files, but virtually everybody can open a PDF. Saving your resume as a PDF will also avoid formatting errors that can occur on different computers.
+Use reverse chronological order. That means your most recent work should appear at the top of the page.
+You do not have to use full sentences.
+For each position, give the name of the company, what it does, the dates you started and left, the positions you held, and your accomplishments. Use numbers and statistics; e.g., "Increased profits by 28%."
+Don't include an objective. An employer doesn't care about your objective. She cares about her objective.
+Don't include personal information about your family, and avoid using photos. Tony Beshara, author of Unbeatable Resumes, says, "You are looking for a job, not a date."
+Avoid cliches such as "customer oriented," "excellent communications skills," and "creative." As Beshara explains, "These words lack meaning and do absolutely nothing to get you an interview."
+Cater the resume to the precise requirements of the job.
+How to Write a Cover Letter to Accompany the Resume
+Many resume writers also write cover letters. This challenging and important skill, if done right, can certainly bring you plenty of additional work - and remuneration.
+The cover letter is an applicant's chance to explain to the recruiter why he or she is the ideal match for the position. For this reason, it's important to meet with your client and understand more deeply why he or she is passionate about a particular opportunity.
+Recruiters and hiring managers respond much better to cover letters addressed to them specifically, rather than generic "Dear Employer" salutations. So, how do you find the right person to send your cover letter and resume to?
+First, search LinkedIn to determine who at the company might be hiring for the type of position you want. Also, Google the company name, position, and "human resources" or "careers" to find a hiring contact.
+Our research found an effective cover letter achieves the following:
+An introduction that is fresh, interesting, and relevant.
+A body that shows an intelligent understanding of the employer's needs and highlights your ability to meet those needs. This is an opportunity to show you're not simply copying a letter you sent to another recruiter. Tailor it specifically to this job, and come across as genuine and sincere.
+A closing paragraph that suggests a meeting or invites the recruiter to take further action (e.g., if you are an architect, you could offer to send images of the buildings you have designed).
+A single-page limit, or 1.5 pages at most.
+A clear, light style that avoids lengthy sentences or jargon.
+My friend Sharon Armstrong, author of The Essential HR Handbook, suggests a novel approach to writing cover letters: Format the body of the letter in two columns. The left column is labelled "Your requirements" and the right column "My qualifications." This allows the recruiter to instantly see you are qualified for the job.
+Marketing Your Resume Writing Services
+As with any business, you'll need to develop a clear marketing plan to advertise your services. Here are some tips on getting clients to hire you to write their resumes:
+Target college students by placing fliers on bulletin boards located on college campuses. You can also rent lists with the names of students; consider mailing brochures to the names on these lists.
+Offer a finder's fee to clients who refer their friends and colleagues to you. If you don't want to offer cash, give them a free add-on service like a cover letter. Students are tight on cash and therefore particularly receptive to finder's fee offers.
+Gain exposure in the business community by networking in local professional and civic organizations.
+Introduce yourself to the staff at the unemployment office. Leave them several business cards.
+Post fliers on public library bulletin boards and at copy centers.
+Give seminars and talks on resume writing or job hunting.
+Place ads in your local newspapers.
+Put up a small website and optimize it for "resume writing" in your county and state.
+Rewrite resumes for your friends and family for free in exchange for them giving you feedback, testimonials, referrals, and letting you use their resumes as samples on your website (but remove their personal information before posting).
+Host a "resume night" where people can give each other feedback, conduct mock interviews, and absorb your expertise, all while enjoying snacks and drinks.
+Collect testimonials from people who have gotten jobs after using the resume you wrote for them. Post these testimonials on your site.
+Use LinkedIn to connect with executives who may be looking for new positions and need resume writing services. You can also promote yourself as a resume writer, job search expert, or career consultant on other social networks including Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. A blog can also demonstrate your expertise in the job-search process, as well as raise your website's ranking on Google.
+To get your foot in the door, offer to critique the client's current resume for free.
+What to Do Next
+In addition, there are several books on how to write resumes and cover letters, including the following:
+Unbeatable Resumes
+Resume Magic
+The Resume Handbook
+Get it Done: Write a Cover Letter
+How to Write Better Resumes and Cover Letters
+Then, implement the steps discussed in this article for getting clients.
+The extra income will feel great, and the sense of pride in helping people find work will feel even better.
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #24: Commercial Modelling: Glamour, Glitter and Gold ======
+When I first wrote to introduce myself, I briefly spoke about my work as a commercial model. I remember, I was hanging out at a cafe when a casting director spotted me because of my curly hair... and that's how it all began. The casting girl insisted that I audition for her next project- a Hyundai commercial. Intrigued by the notion of exploring a different field altogether, I went ahead.
+I vividly remember, it was on September 9, 2012 that I shot for Hyundai advertisement. The experience taught me that besides all the glamour and fame, this field was a fabulous source of extra income.
+TV Commercials: A Shining Opportunity
+Globalisation has expanded our markets and made competition fierce. With new products turning up every day in the market, companies invest big money in advertisements and promotions. The reigning players do the same to maintain their market dominance.
+Nothing reaches the masses like TV. That is why thousands of TV advertisements are produced every year.
+If you have ever hummed the words 'Nirma detergent powder' in your head - or thought 'Fevicol ka jod hai, tootega nahin' when you saw something breaking, you will know that TV ads have the power to sway us.
+And with this we come to our newest extra income opportunity - modelling for brands in TV commercials.
+A TV commercial is a film made to promote a brand or product. The performers in an advertisement are called commercial models. Advertisements are short, usually under a minute. Shooting is also short, usually between one and three days.
+Who is this opportunity for?
+We are presenting this as a uniquely Indian opportunity - owing to the overwhelming number of TV commercials we are subject to over here, and an age-old Indian obsession with appearing on television.
+Because of the relatively short time commitment, commercial modelling presents a great extra income avenue for people of all ages and professions. It is helpful if you have flexibility in your work hours, or have free time on the weekends to pursue potential jobs. Some Mumbaikars who have tapped this opportunity make good money working in commercials.  This opportunity is suitable only for those who are residing in, or within easy traveling distance of Mumbai and Delhi. Mumbai has the largest number of opportunities.
+Aditya Singh Rajput, aka Addy, a familiar name in the industry, has worked with numerous models and non-models in his long career. The supermodel and founder of Pop Culture Talents says, Nowadays, we're into casting and all I can say is that while we cast high-street models for TVCs [television commercials], we regularly scout fresh faces. You may come from any walk of life... If you have the spunk, you will get a chance.
+How to get started
+Although it may seem easy-and-rosy from the outside, breaking into the industry requires effort and patience. But it won't take more than a few hours from your daily routine.
+Scouting opportunities
+The best way to get started is by Googling 'casting call'. The results should give you an idea of the casting opportunities and current projects. They will specify age and character requirements, and how to apply. Generally, they ask that you send an email with your bio, physical stats and some pictures.
+Some websites to check include www.auditionsindia.com and other independent audition blogs.
+Another option is to search and follow casting groups for free on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media.
+If you know someone who already works in the industry, don't hesitate in asking for guidance.
+Note: These usually aren't casting directors or film directors but agents or assistants who work for them. If an agent makes an offer that seems too good to be true, it could be a scam.
+Get yourself clicked
+Get yourself clicked
+Source: Pop Culture Media
+If acting is a job, a model's photograph is his resume. Luckily, you don't need the qualifications of an IITian, but you do need to apply for the job. And the better the application, the better the chances.
+You can pay to have a professional portfolio shot, or you may apply with your own pictures. But don't think the awesome selfie that you clicked yesterday will work. And don't include photographs in which you wear glasses because your face is partially hidden. A good photograph has certain ingredients. Here's some advice from casting director, Varun Singh:
+I love to see a candid photo over cliched poses. It's natural and tells who you really are! But at the same time, I won't deny the importance of a professional photoshoot because there are many things you won't take into notice otherwise. When you're clicked wearing a costume in a certain light, it adds character to the picture.
+Let your portfolio show off the diversity in your look - with a variety of poses, expressions and outfits if possible. The starting price for a professional portfolio is around Rs 10,000-15,000.
+Grooming and diction
+Although your look matters the most, don't underestimate the power of presentation. Your pronunciation and how you carry yourself will also be taken into account during casting. The right attitude and body language is vital in this business.
+If you are camera conscious, you can also choose to get some professional training.
+Institutes like Actor Prepares and Kishore Namit Kapur offer diploma courses in acting and how to face the camera.
+Reaching out to agencies
+When you feel confident to start and have a great set of pictures, you may approach modelling agencies such as Inega, and Kwan. You may also seek independent model coordinators on social media. By now you'd be well-versed with the casting groups and blogs, so you may apply whenever you think you fit a requirement.
+Avoid applying when the requirement specifies a different age group or look, or you'll just end up wasting your time.
+Model coordinators and agencies may charge up to 20% of your fees, which they will charge after you're paid for the assignment. Don't get scammed into paying any amount in advance.
+Casting process
+When your application matches the requirements of the casting director you get a call to come in and audition for the part.
+Audition
+The audition is held by the project's casting director. You'll be called to a studio for a look test. Depending on the project, the casting director may ask you to give a general introduction or perform a scene in front of the camera.
+Audition
+Source: pixabay.com
+He might let you know the project's shoot dates and location, especially if it's going to be shot overseas. Normally, an audition runs for eight hours starting from noon. You may visit the studio anytime during those hours. It is important that you turn up at the audition in the specified dress code.
+Shortlisting
+Of the many candidates who audition, only the best fits for the role will be shortlisted. If you are shortlisted, you will be informed by phone about the shoot dates and the remuneration. Normally, the characters are finalised within three days after shortlisting.
+Finalisation
+I prefer normal faces in my advertisements over extremely good looking models. A regular face connects more to the public. In fact, in most advertisements you'll find a guy-next-door kind of a model...not Vogue type. - Samar, ad filmmaker
+The final selection is done by the client along with the director and ad agency. The selected candidates are called for costume trials and shoot.
+But three things you must know
+Here are three things you should know before you plan to tap this opportunity.
+Uncertain nature of the business
+It is possible that you try for months and don't see any result. It is also possible that you get selected in your first audition. The only certain thing in this business is uncertainty. Be prepared to face rejection at the auditions. Be prepared to persevere when you don't see results. As for me, I guess it was ordained. Things fell in place and I got selected in my first audition. But, I once shot with a guy...it was his first project and it took him four years to get that.
+It might take time but don't let rejection demotivate you. It just means that they have a different character in mind.
+Use your discretion
+The commercial industry doesn't have governing regulations except for some rules set by independent production houses. There are no standard payments. Lack of control also invites scammers to the industry. Thus, use your discretion and don't be impulsive while making a decision.
+Don't worry about creating art
+When I saw the script for my debut ad, the writer inside me was taken aback! It was a ludicrous draft. I decided that I wouldn't do it. But the remuneration offered to me was impressive. I was as dilemmatic as Hamlet... to be or not to be.
+In that moment, of all the YouTube videos I'd seen, I remembered Shah Rukh Khan's answer to a student at Yale University who asked if he could pursue art and pay the bills. SRK said, and I am loosely paraphrasing here: If you're an artist you can't afford to be choosy in early 20s. You must make capital by accepting every offer, even if they are highly uncreative assignments. A day will come when you'll be in a position to choose, you can then produce the art of your choice.
+And I was an artist. I was a writer whose inspiration was already running dry. I thought, "I could take the money and travel places to find my inspiration. Or, I could chuck this poorly written script and go home." The former idea was more practical and, three years down the line, I'm happy that I went for it.
+How much can you make?
+Even though commercial modelling is hard to break into, it can be quite rewarding financially. The remuneration varies on several factors. Fees are specified on per day basis, and get multiplied with the number of days you shoot. Models who are new to the industry could make between Rs 10,000 and 15,000 per day. As you get more experience you could charge more, making up to 50,000 for a day.
+Contract advertisements may reward you more than that, even in lakhs.
+Scope for growth
+Formerly a dancer, I was initially attracted to the field because it rewards handsomely. Gradually it grew on me and became a passion. Like every profession, it has its pros and cons. I've been here for quite some time now, pursuing a sweet and sour journey...although, I'd emphasize on sweet more. Haha! - Akkash Agarvwal, super commercial model, 'the Lenskart guy'
+In this creative field, skill and luck go hand-in-hand. Amrita Rao and Boman Irani rose to fame after getting their start in TV commercials.
+However, if that doesn't happen, don't worry: You'll still be featured in endorsements on national television and become a familiar face. You'd love the compliments and attention you'll get in the social circles. And who knows, someday you could be shooting an advertisement with your favourite movie star!
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #25: Be a Coach - Make Money Giving Honest Advice ======
+hen I was a kid in the 1960s, a coach was someone who coached a neighbourhood baseball team or a high school football team.
+Today, when you say coach, you are likely talking about a self-employed professional who advises clients - both individually and in groups - on strategies for living better lives, improving their careers, growing their small businesses, running a corporation, or even finding a mate.
+"There's no question that future leaders will need constant coaching," writes Ram Charan, world-renowned business advisor, author, and speaker, in the Harvard Business Review. "As the business environment becomes more complex, they will increasingly turn to coaches for help in understanding how to act."
+David Peterson, an executive coach, adds, "Forty years ago, no one talked about executive coaching. Today, coaching is a popular and potent solution for ensuring top performance from an organization's most critical talent."
+Although individual coaching practices are small, often comprising just a single "solopreneur," coaching is becoming a big business. Annual revenues generated in the United States from business and life coaching are $10 billion (plus another $6 billion if you add sports coaching). And there are more than 130,000 business, life, and sports coaches offering their advice and counsel today.
+The coaching industry in India is picking up at a rapid pace too. With the changing nature of businesses and the demands of technology, leaders and executives are increasingly depending on an external coach to see them reach the next levels of success.
+An interesting article, authored by certified coach Dr Prakash V Bhide estimates the size of the coaching industry in India at approximately USD 60 million. It also states that coaching has seen a '50% industry growth in recent years', thus making it 'a new entrepreneurial opportunity' for many.
+He goes on to say that this income opportunity is particularly undertaken by senior HR professionals, psychologists, retired CEOs and senior executives who bank on their 'long and successful industry experience...and designate themselves as an 'executive coach'.'
+One woman, MD, calls herself an "integrated coach." As such, she covers business coaching, life coaching, and even sex and sensuality coaching! She transitioned to coaching after a successful 12-year career as a freelance copywriter. She now has a busy coaching practice with all the clients she can handle.
+RP, a former children's therapist, began a career as an "empowerment coach" a couple of years ago. He says he helps people "recognize their true power, break free of limiting beliefs, and create their own success."
+JK worked for years as an entrepreneur and executive. As part of his corporate job, he offered consulting work to insurance agents. He says, "I loved the work, and evidently I was good at it. When I left corporate life, I begin speaking, coaching, and training."
+In India, Rahul Jain founded Business Coaching India in 2004. An engineer and MBA by qualification, he left his lucrative job at Tata Motors to pursue entrepreneurship. Today he conducts workshops for several leading business houses and particularly helps them focus on doubling their profits and putting work structures in place.
+Is Coaching for You?
+When Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They determined the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well coaching passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+In the coaching profession, the barriers to entry are low. You do not need any special training, a college degree, license, or certification (though having these, as we will discuss, gives you an advantage over your competition). You also do not need psychotherapy experience. Anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a coach.
+"For better or worse, coaching is an unregulated industry," says MD. "Anyone can call themselves a coach. There is a very low barrier to entry - but a very high barrier to success because of it."
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+As a life coach, you do not need to rent an office, though some do. Coaching is an ideal home business. You can meet with clients at your home or theirs. You can even conduct your coaching sessions via phone or Skype. In fact, Skype is an increasingly popular technology for coaches because it offers both voice and video. To use it, you of course need a computer, a high-speed Internet connection, and a (free) Skype account.
+Third: You can choose to work part time or on the weekends.
+Coaches can work as much or as little as they desire by limiting the number of clients they accept.
+MD, a coach with five years of experience, describes her full schedule as having 10 clients for one-on-one coaching, plus a few coaching groups. Some consultants take on as many clients as they can handle, while others cherry-pick their clients to create a part-time schedule.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+The startup costs of a coaching career are low, and there is almost no overhead. If you already have a computer and a Skype account, you can start your coaching practice for under Rs 15,000. Expenses such as business cards are minor. It's a good idea to have a website, as well. Keep in mind that if you choose to pursue additional training or certification, your courses may cost hundreds, or even thousands, of rupees.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs 1,500-25,000 per hour.
+You can make a decent living as a coach. However, most coaches don't. According to research from the School of Coaching Mastery, four out of five coaches wish they were more successful.
+There are two reasons why so many coaches have modest earnings. First, with the exception of executive coaching, the clients tend to be individuals who do not have deep pockets. Second, coaching is more competitive today than it once was. This exerts downward pressure on fees.
+While the top 20% coaches can make well over seven figures, the rest 80% of coaches can earn at least Rs 10 lakh annually. The highest paid coaches are business coaches whose clients are corporate executives.
+Business coaches who work with executives in corporations earn, on average, Rs 10,000-15,000 per hour. Some even earn as much as Rs 35,000 per hour or more.
+But fees vary. JK, for instance, charges just Rs 25,000 per month. MD on the other hand sells her clients packages of six months of coaching that are often a combination of individual and group. These could cost between Rs 3-6 lakh and there are no refunds.
+Training Can Be an Advantage
+Although there is no real requirement for coaches to have licenses, certifications, or training - and this applies even to India - it might make sense for you to acquire them anyway. According to Sherpa Coaching, coaches with training and certification earn more, become successful more quickly, and are more likely to stay in the profession.
+I'm very excited to be starting down this road with a guy who seems to be able to present simple and effective advice in an accessible yet exciting way. As with just about everything else, the secret of building wealth seems like it's going to be getting the attitude and motivation right, rather than the imparting of some hidden wisdom that no one else knows. Club Member A. B.
+In India, Symbiosis Coaching conducts an ICF-approved life coaching program online, while MMM Training Solutions has online modules on executive coaching and mentoring, soft skills training and presentation skills.
+For business coaching, you may also want to pursue training on markets, business models, and basic economics. Business colleges like ISB in Hyderabad also conduct certified courses in coaching as do the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Coaching Federation of India (CFI), ICC, Franklin Covey.
+Marketing Your Coaching Services
+Once you obtain some training and certifications, you need to recruit clients by marketing and selling your coaching services. A good way to start is to notify everyone in your personal and social networks that you are now available to provide coaching. Announce your new coaching business on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
+"My first clients were people I knew personally and former colleagues," says RP. "I networked heavily, researched online marketing strategies, boosted my social media presence, began blogging on my site, and learned to think with a business mentality. Today, I get a lot of clients through marketing campaigns, networking, referrals, speaking events, seminars, and my book."
+Writing books, white papers, and articles - today known as content marketing - is an effective method of building your reputation as a go-to coach for a general or specific market niche. The easiest way to get a book into the marketplace is to publish it as a Kindle e-book and sell it on Amazon.
+The easiest way to publish articles is to write for trade journals or local business magazines. Both are usually looking for material. Make reprints of your articles and mail or hand them out to potential and current clients.
+MD says almost all of her clients come through either referrals, word of mouth, or by completing a form on her website. She has clients all over the world, and she travels throughout the country to attend conferences. When she visits a new city, she arranges to meet clients and prospects who live nearby.
+Once you find potential clients, don't make the mistake of working with them right away. It's important to make sure there is a good fit between your expectations and personalities. MD spends a half-hour on the phone to get to know each prospect, and in some cases, she offers an initial two-hour coaching session at no cost.
+Can You Guarantee Results in Coaching?
+You cannot guarantee results. As the coach, you can only motivate, guide, and advise the client. You do not do the actual work; the client does that.
+It is up to your clients to do what you suggest they do to become successful. And whether they do it or not, or even how well they do it, is beyond your control.
+In her first formal meeting with a new client, MD makes agreements that define what the coach and client are each responsible for doing. "Agreements make coaching powerful," she says.
+But it does not guarantee success. "My goal is to have my clients' lives be impacted by what we do together, but there is no way to guarantee results, and any coach who says she does guarantee results is full of it," MD says.
+"During the initial consultation, I tell my clients I guarantee they will get out of the coaching exactly what they put into it," says RP. "I work only with clients who truly want to create change in their lives. The client sets a goal, we work together to gather resources and determine a plan, and then we set the wheels in motion to get results."
+He goes on to say, "A coach is only as good as the results they expect and receive. I believe my clients can create significant success, and I push them toward the results they desire and deserve."
+How to Coach
+Every coach is different, and no two coaches follow the exact same procedures. Each has his or her unique coaching methodology.
+Years ago, when I lived in NYC, I did short, one-on-one coaching sessions with clients in Manhattan on how to become successful copywriters, authors, or mail-order marketers. I would meet them in their offices, and we'd spend a couple of hours together. Mainly, they asked questions, and I answered.
+There was no advance prep or review of their materials; all the work was done at the one coaching session. The modest fee I charged included me answering brief follow-up questions for up to a month following the session.
+VY, a coach who helps people realize their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs or self-employed professionals, gives her clients an exercise they must complete and submit before coaching begins. It's simple: write an essay describing your ideal day. The coaching centers around helping the client achieve his or her ideal day every day.
+HL communicates with his clients in one-hour weekly phone sessions. MD uses Skype. Some coaches offer one-on-one personalized service, while others do group coaching.
+In terms of scheduling, some coaches work by the month, by the week, or even by the hour, with no long-term commitment. Others, like MD, require a lengthier relationship.
+VY, RP, and many other coaches begin by helping the client pinpoint the No. 1 goal she wants to achieve. Then, over the course of several weeks, they give advice, encouragement, suggestions, and motivation to help the client move toward attainment of the objective.
+As a coach, you share at least three things with your coaching clients, usually delivered orally as advice. First, you share whatever experience and knowledge you have that could be useful to them as they pursue their goal.
+Second, you transmit to them your enthusiasm for whatever you coach, whether it's career-changing, freelancing, or starting a small business.
+Third, you share resources, pointing them to vendors, associations, books, websites, home study courses, advisors, and whatever else can accelerate their progress and fill in gaps in their knowledge.
+"For me, I came to realize that in every job I've done, there was an element of teaching, coaching, and mentoring," says MD. "Turns out that gave me 'training' as a coach, unparalleled even in the top coaching programs. Which I guess is the way other people become coaches-life experience, maturity, wisdom, communication skills, an ability to tell people the truth from a place of love, and a willingness to take a stand for people."
+Coach Versus Consultant
+I am often asked, "What is the difference between a coach and a consultant?"
+While there is an admittedly thin line between the two, here is my take:
+A coach is there to support you emotionally, to give some guidance on how to live your life or run your business, and to motivate you to overcome your natural inertia. The coach's advice is typically general in nature.
+For instance, the coach might suggest you email your prospects more often. But he or she won't tell you how to do it. And often, the coach is there just to listen to your ideas and weigh in with an opinion. He or she motivates and encourages you to find solutions to your challenges, but doesn't solve the problem for you. The coach is an expert in coaching, but not in the particular task she is coaching you on.
+Consultants, meanwhile, offer specific solutions to particular problems. Some give detailed advice and instructions for you to fix the problem; others do the work for you.
+Coaches are generally not licensed therapists. So if you act as a life coach, be sure you do not attempt to diagnose or treat depression, anxiety, or other psychological conditions.
+What to Do Next
+Consider joining a coaching association such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF), as well as an industry or local business association such as your chamber of commerce.
+The ICF can help you meet and network with fellow coaches. Since most will be further along in their coaching careers than you, their guidance and advice on building a successful coaching practice can be invaluable. And the training offered by ICF can accelerate your learning.
+The chamber of commerce is a venue where you can meet potential clients if you are a business coach. Likewise, BNI, a worldwide business networking organization, provides a community from which to seek out clients.
+As you go about finding your clients, remember that each will be different and will present unique challenges to you. But as you work with them and help them to achieve their goals, I am sure you will find outstanding rewards.
+Sincerely,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #26: Bulk Up Your Wallet and Your Muscles With Personal Training ======
+I'm neither naturally strong nor athletic, and my inclination is to avoid exercise. Yet, I know I need it. So, my solution is to belong to a gym where I work out three times per week with a personal trainer.
+But if you - unlike me - are fit, and athletic, you might consider personal training as an ideal extra income opportunity. Many trainers at my gym do training as a secondary income after their day jobs.
+Their day jobs vary widely. One works as a cardiac surgery tech; another is a sanitation worker. What they have in common are great physiques, peak physical conditions, and the desire to help others acquire them. BB thrived as an athlete and worked as a rescue swimmer for the Navy. When she left the military, she earned a master's degree in exercise physiology. Her business is extremely successful: She runs an 8,000 square-foot gym with a staff of six trainers.
+But the vast majority of personal trainers make a good living working on a much smaller scale. Take Rahul for example. Rahul landed in Mumbai with a dream to pursue ramp modelling. However, he learnt that it was too uncertain a job to pay off his never-ending bills. He treasured a ripped body that got a lot of attention, and questions from fitness aspirants. Soon he realised that he could guide others on how to go about it, and pay his bills efficiently...in fact, earn a little more. He works as a part time trainer today, and has a limited but elite clientele.
+SM earns $90(Rs 5,500) per hour training individual clients one on one. A natural athlete, SM participated in football, running, and basketball as a youth. As an adult, he has competed in triathlons and judo. Today, he is a certified kettlebell (a kind of dumbbell) instructor and a performance nutrition specialist.
+RO worked for a pharmaceutical company, but the corporate job did not give her the flexibility to be with her children. Today, as a successful personal trainer, she can schedule her clients around taking her children to school and other activities.
+Despite the high fees personal trainers charge, they're not just catering to the rich and famous. Personal trainers work with different kinds of people, from business professionals to new moms, to the injured or disabled. You don't have to live in a wealthy neighbourhood to find plenty of clients for your personal training business.
+There are roughly 250,000 personal trainers in the United States generating total revenues of about $10 billion per year. Around 2.9 million Americans use personal trainers.
+In India, the number of fitness enthusiasts are increasing by the day. ‘The fitness market is growing at an impressive rate of 25-30 per cent', says G Ramachandran , director of Gold's Gym. People living in metros, and big cities consciously include exercise in their routine. The demand for personal trainers is going to increase.
+Is Being a Personal Trainer for You?
+As I remind you in each of these articles, when Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They determined the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well the personal training business passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+Can anyone be a personal trainer? In theory, yes. You have to be physically fit and reasonably strong. If you're not, you'd have to undergo your own fitness regimen to reach the top 5% or so of the population in terms of strength, flexibility, and stamina.
+People in the training world like to say, “A personal trainer's body is their business card.” After all, it's a visual image of the brand they market to the world. And though you don't need bulging muscles, you should be fairly fit and toned. You should also be able to perform exercises in correct form.
+For some people, they can get there through a lot of hard work, perhaps themselves hiring a personal trainer to get them in shape. Hiring a trainer has the added advantage of letting you see how he or she works, particularly the variety of exercises and how he or she deals with, trains, and motivates clients.
+On the other hand, some people just don't like exercise or challenging themselves physically. If that describes you, personal training may not be the profession for you.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+While your office can be located in your basement, attic, or spare bedroom, most trainers do not train their clients there.
+If you do train clients either at your home or a space you rent, you will need liability insurance to protect you in case of client injury or accident.
+Some trainers go to their clients' homes for exercise sessions. In such cases, the effectiveness of the workout depends in part on how well-equipped the clients' home gyms are.
+Other trainers rent commercial space and set up a small gym with exercise equipment. Often, they train only one or two people at a time, because there isn't space for more.
+Still other trainers make arrangements with bigger local gyms to train their clients there.
+Third: You can choose to work part time or on the weekends.
+As a personal trainer, you control your workload, because you can take on as many or as few clients as you want.
+You will have some clients who want to train on the weekends, but many more who want to train weekdays, especially after work. So, your hours are often dictated by your clients' schedules, not yours.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+Exercise equipment can be expensive. There are three ways around this.
+The first is to train clients at their homes using whatever exercise equipment they own.
+The second is to lease your exercise equipment instead of buying it outright. A low monthly lease payment enables you to acquire equipment your budget may not allow you to buy.
+A third is, as we said earlier, to arrange to train your clients at a local gym and use its equipment. Go to the gym and ask the owner about this. It's a common arrangement, and he or she will likely be open to it. The percentage split between you and the owner is negotiable.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs 750-2,500 per hour.
+‘Beginners mostly start by working at a gym. Once you're a freelancer, it depends on your client base. You might earn as much as Rs 50,000 for 12 sessions in a month, provided your client base comprises of businessmen and film personalities. But, you will certainly be able to make at least 10 grand for 12 sessions... being a professional trainer I can say that.'- Prayas Kharbadikar, 25, Mumbai
+Personal trainers typically charge between Rs 750 and 1,500 per hour. Personal trainers who own gyms and employ other personal trainers can earn considerably more.
+Starting and Running a Successful Personal Training Service
+The two key steps to going into business as a personal trainer are learning personal training - both how to train and how to run the business - and getting certified.
+Certification isn't required, but having certification can give you an advantage in getting clients or employment in the field.
+There are numerous organizations that offer training and certificates for men and women looking to become personal trainers.
+These include the Indian Academy of Fitness Training, Gold's Gym Fitness Institute, and GIFFI Fitness Academy.
+Certification training is usually done at your own pace, so you can complete it and earn your certification in months or even weeks. Costs vary with the organization granting the certification, but they are quite affordable. For instance, a three month course at Gold's Gym Fitness Institute would cost you Rs 21,000.
+You do not have to be a physical “monster” to be a trainer. My current trainer, OL, is built like an oak tree and can bench press 400 pounds.
+Before I worked with OL, my trainer at the same gym was CP, who, while physically strong and a former high school football player, was nowhere as powerful as OL. But, he was more nimble and agile.
+At my previous gym, JR was my trainer, and he was pretty well-muscled. But, he had a couple of clients who could lift more weight than he could. This seemed to not bother him or his clients at all. So, to be a personal trainer doesn't require you to be Superman.
+At my gym, the personal trainers vary between classes with three to six clients trained together and one-on-one personalized training, which is what I buy.
+OL and other trainers tailor the workouts to the current physical conditions and health goals of their clients. OL has a “theme” for each day: Tuesday might be mainly cardio; Thursday, balance and flexibility; Saturday, upper-body strength.
+About 75% of each session is devoted to exercises on the theme, and the rest to other activities for variety and to prevent fatigue.
+Most personal trainers won't allow clients to ask for leniency. The personal trainer's job is to push clients beyond what those clients would do on their own. If you aren't willing to work a bit above your comfort zone, a trainer is probably not a good idea for you. They will, however, make occasional exceptions - for instance, taking it a bit easier on a day you are particularly exhausted or having aches and pains.
+Marketing Your Personal Training Services
+There are numerous ways to market your personal training business and get clients.
+First, tell everyone you know - family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues - you now offer personal training.
+Give your clients a really great workout. Your job isn't only to exercise them, but also to motivate and give encouragement. It also helps if you are friendly and outgoing. Doing these things will generate more business through referrals and word of mouth.
+Most towns have a local newspaper. You can use this to get business in two ways. First, run some quarter-page ads in the paper announcing your personal training services. Offer potential clients an initial 30-minute training session free.
+Second, approach the editor and offer to write - at no charge - articles on health, fitness, and nutrition. Writing establishes your reputation as an expert in your field - in this case, physical fitness.
+Speaking is another way to establish yourself as an expert and generate qualified leads. One of the easiest venues for public speaking is local gatherings, most of which have speakers talk on a variety of subjects.
+Encourage referrals with some kind of incentive. The gym where I work out with my personal trainer has a standing offer for members: Refer someone who becomes a member, and it waives your membership fee for a full month.
+Use endorsement marketing to get other businesses in related fields - doctors, health food stores, sporting goods stores, nutritionists, hospitals - to refer their customers to you.
+How this works: Give doctors or other business owners certificates entitling their patients or customers to a free 30-minute personal training session with you. For each referral who becomes a client, give a referral fee to the business or practice that sent them.
+Use the Internet. There are many ways to build your personal training business online.
+For starters, have a website for your business. If you write articles for the local newspaper, post them on your site. The more content you have on your site, the higher your ranking on Google will be. See our article on starting a website.
+There are specialists offering search engine optimization (SEO) services, which means they use a variety of techniques to raise your Google ranking. Consider an investment in SEO. Strive to get on the first screen of the Google search engine results page (SERP) for “personal training” in your town. Those businesses on the first screen of the SERP get the vast majority of the traffic. To learn more about SEO, go here.
+Social media isn't the ideal medium for marketing personal training services because the trainer's market is local, and social media reaches people worldwide. Facebook and Instagram are especially popular for people to share their workouts and physical progress. Consider encouraging your clients to use them.
+Have a box or form on your home page where visitors to your site can sign up for a free monthly or weekly electronic newsletter on health and fitness. In addition to providing tips and useful information, your newsletter can make special offers or announce new services (e.g., a new class in yoga) to generate new business.
+To generate additional income, some gyms and personal trainers sell nutritional supplements, usually participating in a multilevel marketing (mlm) arrangement with the supplement maker. Others sell fitness videos and books on their sites as affiliates, meaning they get a commission from the publisher on every sale they make.
+As for timing, marketing is a year-round activity. Having said that, your results will probably be best in January (after New Year's resolutions) and in March.
+You can also do things like offer incentives to whichever client loses the most weight; you can offer packages for entire families; or you can come up with creative party ideas for large groups.
+What to Do Next
+Here's how to get started in personal training.
+First, make sure you are fit and in overall good shape.
+Second, learn how to do personal training and get certified by one of the organizations listed earlier in this essay.
+Third, set up or arrange for a place to train your clients and acquire whatever exercise equipment is needed.
+And fourth, use the marketing techniques given here to get clients. Once you do that, you're in business.
+Your market isn't just people who already exercise. Millions of Indians don't exercise regularly, and their doctors and friends are urging them to do so.
+It's almost a universal desire to be thinner, healthier, and fitter. People want to feel better physically and live longer, and they perceive exercising regularly can help them reach those goals.
+Yet, many of these people haven't exercised for years. Experts say you have to exercise just 20 minutes per day to get fit. But a vast majority of urban Indians do not exercise regularly.
+Some haven't exercised for so long, they don't remember how and they don't feel like it - they have to be motivated.
+As a personal trainer, you can help them exercise properly and frequently. That can make them healthier, more energetic, and more physically attractive. It may even save their lives!
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #27: Get Paid to Shop ======
+When I joined team Common Sense Living, I went around our office to meet the entire staff. One of them, Lester, now a copywriter, told me about his former profession of being a mystery shopper.
+Mystery shopper?' I asked. I had never heard of such a thing before.
+'Yeah!' he said. 'You go into an outlet for shopping, but you're not an actual shopper. Your aim is to secretly evaluate their services.'
+'What? And you get paid for it?'
+'Yes. Of course.'
+I was surprised. Later that day I told my friend, Akanksha, about this and she was astonished to learn that she could make money just by visiting stores and surfing the products.
+I was curious too. So I went online and registered with the mystery shopping company that Lester used to work with. And so began my journey as a mystery shopper.
+What is mystery shopping?
+Mystery shopping is a way for businesses to evaluate products and services. Companies hire mystery shoppers to go into their stores or try their services and give them feedback on how their businesses are functioning.
+Mystery shopping companies help major brands improve the customer service experience they offer to their customers. When brands keep their customers satisfied, customers in turn remain loyal to those brands thus impacting the brand's revenue for the better.
+A mystery shopper is also called a mystery auditor, a mystery consumer, or an evaluator. The process of evaluating services is called auditing.
+As an auditor, you could find yourself evaluating any kind of service. Be it checking out a t-shirt at a Nike outlet...tasting and reviewing the latest frappuccino at Starbucks...or staying at a hotel and assessing the staff behaviour.
+And you get paid to do this. PVR might pay you to see a movie. McDonald's might pay you to order a burger. Titan might pay you to buy a pair of glasses.
+Yes! You will either get paid or your bill amount will be reimbursed. All you have to do in return is write a report about your experience.
+A friend of mine audited a 5-star hotel's dining service. His bill of Rs 15,000 was reimbursed in full. I don't think he would have gone there otherwise. Sometimes having an experience is better than money. My favourite audit was taking the GMAT test. I got paid Rs 700 just to take the GMAT and evaluate the exam center and invigilator. - Lester
+Are you tempted already? You think you could make money when you go shopping this weekend?
+You can. If not make, at least save.
+How to start out as a mystery shopper?
+You don't need any specific qualifications to pursue mystery auditing. You only need to be a good observer and fluent in English. If you can simply act like a regular customer without giving any hint that you're an auditor, you can start right away.
+Submitting a report after completing the audit is an indispensable part of this job. Good grammar and descriptions will give you an advantage over other auditors.
+The report is generally a checklist carrying simple questions. For example, if you are asked to see a movie in PVR, the questions might be:
+How many people came to watch the movie?
+Were the auditorium and washroom clean?
+Were the attendants friendly and courteous?
+Did the show start on time?
+When I started this job, I was asked to register as a mystery shopper on the company's website. A project manager, RP, then spoke to me on the phone. He informed me that certain guidelines would be provided before every audit and I must follow them.
+He then sent me emails with lots of options for various companies that were looking for audits. Here is some of the information you will receive...
+The specific products and services that you will need to evaluate.
+The location of the outlet where you must perform the audit. For example, if you are assigned a Domino's audit, you'll be provided with the addresses of outlets where you can go. Not all Domino's might be part of the audit, so see the list for the specific locations they need, and pick one that works for you.
+You will be informed beforehand about the remuneration...as to whether you'll get fees or a reimbursement on the bill, or a combination of the two.
+One audit I saw when I joined was Colorbar.
+Colorbar, a cosmetic store, required a female auditor. I advised Akanksha to perform the audit. They offered a reimbursement of up to Rs 800 on the bill amount. She bought some cosmetics that cost her Rs 650, and wrote about her experience. Her report was accepted, and Rs 650 was reimbursed to her.
+In other words, my friend just got a premium quality product...for free!
+A two-fold opportunity
+If you're not fond of visiting stores, but still want to make some bucks, you can work as a freelancer in the quality control department.
+The reports submitted by auditors often suffer from poor grammar and short descriptions. Some reports also have incorrect information regarding the bill amount, and need to be verified.
+A quality control team evaluates each report before it is submitted to the client. Usually, they rectify linguistic errors. You can work as a quality controller if you are good at English.
+As a quality controller, your work hours would be flexible, you don't have to leave your house, and you will be paid in cash (instead of a reimbursement on products). As a matter of fact, I've worked more as a quality controller than auditor.
+Is mystery auditing for you?
+As we believe in recommending thoroughly researched opportunities that meet Mark Ford's parameters, let's see how well mystery shopping passes the litmus test for an extra income opportunity...
+Anyone should be able to do it
+Yes. If you know how to shop, you can work as a mystery shopper. Sometimes the audit guidelines specify the age group and gender they require of the auditor... If you fit the criteria, you can carry out the audit. The only other thing you really need is to be able to write reports in basic English. You should know to document your experience.
+You should be able to start comfortably
+You do not need any startup capital. You do not need any investment. You need to register for free to get started, and for that all you need is a computer and internet. You can start by searching 'mystery shopper' on Google. Then register as a new user on Channel Play or Red Quanta or any other mystery shopping company.
+Getting registered is simple. It follows the same procedure as making an ID on a social website.
+You can choose your work hours
+You can visit the store anytime during the given hours to carry out an audit. On an average, an audit requires 25-30 minutes. And preparing a report requires the same amount of time. The whole assignment should take an hour, and you could do it any day of the week, or stick to evenings and weekends if you so choose.
+You can make a fair amount of money per hour
+My first audit was for Croma. The audit took 25 minutes, and filling the report took another 25 minutes. So for a 50-minute job, I made Rs 900. You can earn as much as Rs 5,000 if the audit is for a giant like Apple. And as you become more experienced, you will get more lucrative mystery shopping opportunities.
+However, you will come across more audits where your bill amount will simply be reimbursed. Even if you choose those, remember that you are saving money...and every penny saved is a penny earned. Add up those free movies, dinners, and gadgets, and you find yourself living a richer life without spending more.
+How to be a successful mystery shopper
+Being a good mystery shopper isn't difficult. It only requires basic skills and a keen eye.
+First of all, establish trust with the company by always submitting accurate expense reports, with a proper picture of the bill. This is a thumb rule.
+As in every field, as you build trust and experience, you will become a preferred auditor and get the most remunerative projects. You must be good at three things in order to become a preferred mystery shopper.
+Good Observation
+Observe the store and staff behaviour properly. From the time you step inside till you exit. Pay attention to small details. Pay attention to staff body language. Enquire about the specified product in a candid but natural manner. Try to interact with the staff to know about them.
+Many audits require you to comment on the store's outlook and cleanliness. Don't overlook these things when you're on job.
+Good Description
+The most important thing while preparing the report is a good, detailed description. Keeping your content free from spelling and grammatical errors will not only shape your image but help you get bonus incentives too.
+Good Photography
+A picture is worth a thousand words...and a vital ingredient of a good audit report is good pictures. The guidelines mostly ask that you take pictures of the store exteriors and staff. Assure that the pictures you click are not blurry or ambiguous. Duly submit a picture of the bill. Also ensure that you do not attract the attention of staff members or any person related to the store when you take these pictures.
+You must never do anything that will reveal your identity as a mystery shopper.
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #28: Perfect Order - Make Money Helping People Organize ======
+Editor's Note: So here's a warning before you read the latest Extra Income Opportunity from Bob Bly. We do realise that this service may not be perceived well by the Indian reader. You may wonder how you can barge into people's homes and offices and start cleaning up their spaces. You may also think India has loads of blue-collared workers who can willingly provide such a service for a fraction of a cost.
+But here's the deal, we're not presenting this just as an income opportunity, we're presenting this as a business opportunity. Since we didn't find anyone in India doing it, we think it might just be the novel idea you've been looking for.
+All you need to do is lean on your own organisational skills, train a handful of people in organising spaces and send them out to perform the job... And of course, read Bob Bly's essay which has some amazing insights on this idea... He surely knows how to put business in context!
+I've been an acquaintance of Stephanie Winston's for many years. She pretty much single-handedly transformed being organized-or more specifically, helping others get organized-into a profession.
+In the mid-1970s, Stephanie became one of the first professional organizers, making her a pioneer in the field. The publication of her landmark book, The Organized Executive, launched her into the spotlight and made her, for a time, the most famous and successful professional organizer on the planet.
+Like Stephanie, IB became a professional organizer in the 1970s after being fired from a job. She was just 27 years old. She says she got the idea because so many people she saw were terribly disorganized. She started charging $15 (approx. Rs. 900) per hour back then to "organize the piles of paper on their desks."
+After 18 years in banking, CP became an organizer specializing in financial matters for clients who need someone to pay bills, balance checkbooks, or handle the paperwork for taxes, investments, and insurance. "Some people just forget to pay their bills, while others find it tedious or time consuming," says CP. And penalties for forgetting to pay your taxes on time can be substantial.
+Is Being a Professional Organizer for You?
+As I remind you in each of these articles, when Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income Project, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure.
+To make good on that promise, Mark and his team brainstormed for months. They determined the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention.
+Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well being a professional organizer passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+The barriers to entry in the organizing profession are low. You do not need any special training, a college degree, a license, or certification. Having the latter, as we will discuss, gives you an advantage over the competition. Literally anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a professional organizer.
+In order to be successful, it is imperative that you are an organized person. While organization can be learned, those who teach it to others are mostly naturally organized people, like me. If you are a pack rat or hoarder, or if your office looks like a hurricane just hit it, professional organizing is likely not the career for you.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+As a professional organizer, you do not need to rent an office, though some organizers do. You can run your business from a home office. However, you will have to visit clients at their offices if you are a professional organizer, or their homes if you are a personal organizer.
+Often, a big part of the organizing process is sitting with the client for hours, putting their papers into piles and their stuff into bins and boxes, and setting up filing, shelving, and other productivity systems in their offices or homes. You cannot do that remotely.
+Third: You can choose to work part time or on the weekends.
+You can work as much or as little as you desire by limiting the number of clients you take on. You may work with a client only a couple of hours per week. If you only have 10 clients, that will keep you busy at about 20 hours per week.
+Some business clients want you to come to their offices and work with them during the regular workday. Others, not wishing to lose productive work time, are happy to meet you in the office on weekends, as are many clients who want help organizing their homes.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+The startup costs are low, and there is almost no overhead. If you already have a computer, a desk, and a phone, you can start your professional organizing business for under $300 (approx. Rs. 20,000). Expenses such as business cards are minor. A website is recommended. You may bring a few items to the client's location, such as file folders, bulletin boards, and other organizational tools, but the client usually reimburses these or you build them into your consulting fee.
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs. 5,000 - Rs. 15,000 per hour.
+You can make a very good living with this income opportunity: Professional organizing fits comfortably into Mark's acceptable pay range with fees ranging from $50 to $200 - approx. Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 12,000 - (per hour). Work 20 hours per week and you make an income of $1000 (approx. Rs. 65,000) per week.
+Since the service is not yet available in India, we are unable to give you any accurate rates. But you could bill as per the project or as per the hour.
+Additionally, the rates could vary, depending on the services you provide. If you include Feng Shui and Vaastu consultations - a hot favourite for many Indians - you could get many thousands more. But of course, you will have to get plenty of training on those subjects.
+One reason professional organizers are well-paid is because the results of their services-helping clients get more organized-can produce a big improvement in their companies' bottom lines.
+According to a survey by Brother International, the cost of full-time employees in the U.S. looking for misplaced items in the office is more than $89 billion per year, as incredible as that sounds. The average employee spends 38 hours per year looking for lost items, which is equivalent to losing a full week of work every year.
+The survey found items routinely misplaced include file folders, calculators, memory sticks, briefcases, suitcases, laptop computers, and PDAs. The workers most prone to losing stuff are Generation Y. And 30% of office workers have lost reimbursements for expenses because they misplaced their receipts!
+What Does an Organizer Do?
+All the services a professional organizer offers revolve around helping the client become and remain more organized. The end goal is to help the client be more productive. After all, if they are spending 10 minutes frantically searching for every document or file they need to do their work, they are not working very efficiently.
+Part of the organizer's job is to teach clients organizational skills. The professional organizer usually comes to the client's office and sets up new systems for organizing and handling work or other tasks. They then teach the client to use those systems and help them practice.
+An article in Entrepreneur magazine gives the following tips for increased organization and efficiency at work:
+Work offsite. When you need to write a document or research a topic, the absence of office interruptions can improve concentration.
+Use checklists for repetitive tasks to reduce errors and make sure all steps are completed.
+Consolidate the number of places you go for information. There are too many apps to navigate. Make notifications from each app appear in one place.
+Switch off pop-up notifications so they do not interrupt your concentration.
+Professional organizing isn't rocket science. Some of the advice organizers give seems mundane and obvious. Yet many people don't follow it, and if they did, their lives would be much easier.
+NP, for instance, advises workers to get bigger trashcans. A bigger trashcan prevents trashcan overflow. And overflow forces you to stop what you're doing, empty your trash, and search for a new plastic liner. Sounds trivial, but in a home office not served by daily office cleaning, it's a real headache. It is for me!
+Another technique I have used for years, also advocated by NP, is to have a two-zone workspace: one for your computer where you spend most of your time working, and another desk where you do non-computer stuff.
+Here's another way to reduce clutter: I have my two computers, modem, router, and network storage devices on a separate piece of furniture. On my desk, I have only my screen, keyboard, speakers, and webcam.
+"Our industry is enjoying fast-paced growth," says professional organizer Sara Pedersen. "People have too much stuff, not enough space or time, and lack basic organizing skills. In addition, being a professional organizer is a relatively easy and flexible business to launch."
+"Productivity is all about efficiency-doing more, faster, and with less," says David Lavenda, a vice president at productivity company Harmon.ie. "And with increasing demands from today's anytime, anywhere workplace, you need to focus on three segments of your life: time, space, and mindset"-three areas where organizers help their clients become more productive.
+Not Just for Business
+Some professional organizers help clients get organized at home rather than at work.
+Areas where personal/home organizers help clients get more organized include the home office or study, kitchen, cupboards, master bedroom, garages or store rooms.
+You help clients organize storage areas, such as cupboards, garages, and kitchen cabinets. You also perform space planning activities to maximize both household storage capacity and usable living space. Another service offered by home organizers is to develop systems for organizing documents and data, such as deeds, titles, birth certificates, contractor receipts, and the like.
+While neither professional nor home organizing may seem particularly hazard prone, you do need business insurance. You're in a client's home or business, where breaking things is a possibility; if in shuffling items around on the desktop, you knock over and break a piece of electronic equipment, you are liable.
+A general liability policy covers property damage and bodily injury. It's even better to have professional liability insurance-also called errors and admissions-which protects you in case the client claims damage from bad advice. Many local insurance agents can find this coverage for you.
+Training Can Be an Advantage
+While the law does not require professional organizers to have licenses, certifications, or training, it may make sense for you to acquire them. You don't need certification to get started.
+You can get a good education on the basics by reading some of the books on professional organizing, including Born to Organize by Sara Pederson and Stephanie Winston's Best Organizing Tips by Stephanie Winston.
+Marketing Your Organizing Services
+There are a variety of methods for successfully marketing yourself as a professional organizer:
+Have a professional-looking website. There should be a call to action on the home page-a button or form the visitor can fill out to request more information on your services.
+Pay a search engine optimization (SEO) specialist to optimize your website for the keyword phrase "professional organizer" in your town or county. That way, when people in your area look for a professional organizer on Google, they will find you first.
+Write how-to articles on various aspects of organization and personal productivity improvement for business magazines, trade journals, newspapers, and websites. Use the keyword phrase "professional organizer" multiple times in each article. Post all of your articles on an "Articles" page on your website. This will improve your search engine ranking on Google.
+Start a free monthly e-newsletter of organization, time management, and productivity tips. Have a sign-up box for subscribing to the newsletter on your home page. Whenever you write and publish articles, include the URL of the sign-up box or page in your bio and mention your free newsletter.
+Give free talks on organization, time management, and personal productivity to local business and civic organizations, especially local chapters of national trade associations whose members are businesspeople. A great place to get your feet wet as a speaker without feeling under pressure is to give a short talk on getting organized at your local library.
+When you give talks, get a copy of the video if you are being recorded. And if you are not, bring in someone to record it for you. Post clips from the video on your site and put the full presentation on YouTube.
+Write a special report or e-book on some facet of organizational skills. Put it into a PDF and make it available for download on your site. Require visitors to give you their name, phone number, and email address in exchange for giving them the free PDF. Then follow up to see whether they're interested in talking about hiring you.
+Consider writing a paperbound book like Stephanie Winston did. You can self-publish it or, like Winston, sell it to a mainstream publishing house. The former is easier while the latter is more prestigious.
+There are many social networks on which you can promote yourself as a professional organizer. The main ones to concentrate on are Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. If you're interested in publishing visual content, such as images or videos of neatly organized drawers, etc., you should consider Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
+Start a business or personal productivity blog. Write two 500-word blog posts per week. Add a button on the blog home page where visitors can subscribe to your blog via RSS feed.
+Don't ignore word of mouth. Always carry business cards and pass them out liberally. Tell friends, relatives, colleagues, and neighbours about your new business as a professional organizer. A lot of people are disorganized and suffer as a result of it. The more people who find out about you, the more you will get hired.
+What to Do Next
+Lots of people need the help of an organizer, so here's one way to get a quick start:
+Approach a friend or colleague whose desk is full of clutter and seems overwhelmed. Offer to help him or her get organized.
+Instead of charging your regular rate for professional organizing, offer your services for free in exchange for a testimonial and a reference. If these people work for big companies with recognizable names, that's a plus.
+Be sure to take as many "before" and "after" photos as you can so you can publish these stories on your website and social media channels.
+Do this with two to three people. Now, when potential clients ask about your experience, you can name these people and their companies as your clients, and you can post their testimonials on your site to establish instant credibility. (No need to mention you did the work for free!)
+Sincerely,
+Bob Bly
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #29: Airbnb - Make Money Hosting Guests from around the World ======
+The first time I heard of Airbnb was two years ago from my friend - Jeevandeep - who was visiting me after spending a year in the US. He told me about his solo trips and how he stayed with local people as he travelled around the country.
+'Local people? How did you manage to stay with them?' I asked.
+'I used Airbnb,' he replied.
+'Airbnb?'
+'Yeah! It is a website where people can search for lodging and rent it,' he said.
+'Oh, like a hotel booking website?'
+'No, no! That's the fun part. It lets you to book accommodation in private homes. You stay with the local folks. It feels like you are actually living in the place...like a resident.' His enthusiasm was evident.
+'Really? And who posts the accommodation?'
+'Anyone! Whoever wants to become a host or make extra money... Even you could do it!'
+Two months later, when I fell short of cash while buying a laptop, I remembered this conversation. There was some extra space in my flat, which I thought to rent.
+I live in Mumbai. I knew I'd get guests easily. I had a small room and few amenities to offer, so I decided to charge a modest rent of Rs 1,500 per day.
+I posted on Airbnb and a few days later hosted my first guest - Marien. He stayed for four days.
+Within a month, I hosted four guests from different countries...and generated enough cash to bridge the gap between me and my laptop.
+I realised that Airbnb was an interesting and convenient way to make extra income. Also, I got to interact with people from different cultures - a big cherry on top.
+We can't travel the World all the time so hosting with Airbnb brings the World to us. - PP, Airbnb Host
+Airbnb - In a nutshell
+Airbnb is a website where people can list, find, and rent lodging. It started in 2008, and how it came into existence is an interesting story.
+In 2007, while living in San Francisco, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia - the founders - could not afford their apartment rent. So they transformed their living room into a bed and breakfast, accommodating three guests on mattresses and providing them homemade breakfast.
+They were able to meet their rent and loved the experience of hosting visitors. And they thought others with extra space would too. So in February 2008, they partnered with Nathan Blecharczyk, a technical architect, to conceptualise a website called Airbedandbreakfast.com, through which others could list their own 'bed and breakfasts'.
+The website officially launched on August 11, 2008. A year later, its name was shortened to Airbnb.Today the website has over a million accommodation listings in more than 30,000 cities and 190 countries.
+Apart from the website, the company also offers the Airbnb application for iOS and android users. So you can also access it on mobile.
+How to get started
+Start by deciding which part of your house you want to rent. It could be an entire apartment or a small corner with a cozy mattress.
+Now visit the Airbnb website and click on 'Become a Host'. After entering your city, proceed to choose the space that you want to rent - an apartment, a room, or bed and breakfast. Also mention how many people you can accommodate at one time.
+Forget not to add an intriguing and accurate description about your place. Also list the amenities that you will provide - wifi, TV, kitchen, etc.
+Lastly you will be required to fill in the rent price for your space. Airbnb gives an estimated price of your space based on its size, location, and amenities. But you can choose your own amount.
+If you think your place deserves more, don't hesitate in quoting more. The estimates on Airbnb are automated. They can't see how beautiful your place is! I rent out my penthouse for double their price. Because I give such services...and a lush terrace garden surrounds it. - NK, Mumbai
+Once your listing goes live, you will start to receive request mails from prospective guests (assuming it is an attractive listing). You can choose to accept or reject each request.
+Is this opportunity for you?
+Every extra income opportunity that we recommend has to meet certain parameters. Let's see if Airbnb passes the test.
+Anyone should be able to do it
+Anyone who wants to become a host and knows how to use the internet can reap the benefits of this opportunity. The website is neat and simple to use, and so is the app. All you have to do is upload some identification for verification (such as a passport, driver's license, PAN card, etc), and you're ready to start renting.
+You shouldn't need huge capital to start
+You need neither an office nor huge startup capital. All you need is to select a corner in your house and renovate it for guests. It should require minimum effort and investment. Then you need a computer, or even just a mobile, with an internet connection, and you're all sorted.
+You can choose your work hours
+Airbnb allows you to select the days your space is available. You can choose to rent it out on weekends, holidays, or any time that is convenient for you. Even if you make it available full time, this shouldn't disrupt your regular schedule.
+Most likely, your guests will be tourists and they won't need you around. You can appoint a family member or domestic help to greet your guests and make sure they are comfortable.
+You should be able to generate a fair amount of cash
+If you live in a metro city like Delhi or Mumbai, you can easily rent out a room for Rs 2000-2500 per day. A lot of tourists, especially foreigners, visit metros because of the international airport. But if you live in a hill station, or any popular tourist place, you can also generate a good amount of money from Airbnb.
+You get paid through Airbnb 24 hours after a guest's reservation is confirmed. Note that Airbnb is currently charging a 3% host service fee on your nightly rent. So if your nightly rent is Rs 1,000...you will get Rs 970 after deduction. You can learn more about the payment procedure here.
+How to be a successful host
+A recent survey from Goldman Sachs revealed that tourists who use Airbnb don't want to go back to hotels.
+I prefer to rent lodgings on Airbnb rather than booking hotels because it gives a personal touch to my travel. Staying with the locals is mesmerizing always. You come home with real experiences and warm memories. - JS, 26
+Travel has become an important part of people's lifestyle. In the past decade, the tourism industry has seen substantial growth all over the world. According to the statistics, the number of tourist arrivals in India increased by a million in 2014.
+Airbnb has proved its potential as a source of extra income. But remember, Airbnb has millions of hosts...so you already have competition. And there's only one way to stay ahead of them - through guest recommendations.
+Airbnb encourages guests to submit reviews and comments after their stay. If your listing receives rave reviews, you will be listed higher than your competition when guests search for accommodation in your area.
+Here are a few things you could do to become a recommended host on Airbnb.
+Be honest
+Although many traits should be cultivated by a host, honesty is paramount. Post honestly about your accommodation. Write an intriguing description but don't bluff. Do not mention amenities that you won't provide. Provide genuine pictures of your place.
+If there are any cons that guests should know, duly reveal them. Also provide transparent information to guests about your city and neighbourhood.
+This ensures guests will not be disappointed and leave negative reviews.
+Ask a fair price
+Feel free to ask for the price you think your place deserves...but don't be greedy. You can't charge Rs 20,000 for a small room with basic amenities. Be sure to check the prices of other hosts who provide similar accommodation and amenities.
+The major factor that determines your price is your city and neighbourhood. You can charge a hefty rent if you reside in a tourist hotspot. But if you live in a regular town that doesn't have much traveller footfall, inflating the rent isn't a good idea.
+Warm reception
+To welcome your guests warmly is must. Offer a cup of coffee or a cool drink. Ask a bit about them and their travel plans...and help him with whatever information you can.
+Most travelers won't expect too much from you. They may even want you to leave them to rest, relax, and freshen up before they go out. Don't be nosy or force a conversation if they don't seem interested.
+Airbnb is a fabulous concept that has brought people of distant lands together. Extra income is just one of the benefits. Perhaps the greatest benefit of Airbnb will be the exposure to other people and cultures and the global connections you make.
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #30: Make Money By Becoming A Finance Coach ======
+Today, when people want to get financial advice, they often find themselves floundering in search of an honest voice of reason. Most advisors are trapped in situations where they make money based on commissions, and instead of giving the honest advice they want to, they end up trying to push clients to buy financial instruments with the highest commission. It becomes, for them, rozi-roti ka sawaal.
+As a result of this, however, mistrust of financial advisors is ubiquitous.
+There's no question that India needs honest financial advisors. Our education system doesn't prepare us to make sound financial decisions. Most Indians don't start investing till quite late, and when they do, they often make rash decisions and burn their fingers.
+Those who turn to 'advisors' for help, often end up with their money tightly bound up in instruments that seem like a noose around their neck, and they still struggle to meet their financial goals.
+And how many of us feel our stomachs sink when we think of the 'R' word instead of smiling confidently in the knowledge that we have prepared well for our retirements?
+(I should hope that every single Creating Wealth reader has their ideal Retirement planned out, and if you don't, please get on the job before any more time is lost.)
+But now things are changing. People are starting to realise the importance of planning their finances. Their freedom, the quality of their lives, the value they can create in the world is all directly impacted by your financial decisions.
+Now, India needs trusted financial advisors. This opportunity is on the brink of exploding. Not just a mutual fund salesman, not just a relationship manager, not just a financial consultant, but a trusted financial coach.
+And you can become that person. The coaching industry in India is picking up at a rapid pace. With the changing nature of businesses and the demands of technology, leaders and executives are increasingly depending on an external coach to see them reach the next levels of success. An interesting article, authored by certified coach Dr Prakash V Bhide estimates the size of the coaching industry in India at approximately US$60 million. It also states that coaching has seen a '50% industry growth in recent years', thus making it 'a new entrepreneurial opportunity' for many. He goes on to say that this income opportunity is particularly undertaken by senior HR professionals, psychologists, retired CEOs and senior executives who bank on their long and successful industry experience...and designate themselves as an 'executive coach'.
+As a financial advisor, you can set yourself apart by truly understanding the lives and goals of your clients. You are a life coach, helping them navigate the biggest events in their lives - changing jobs, educating children, starting businesses, and preparing for their golden years. And this opportunity doesn't end at working with clients. You can become a financial coach and begin speaking, coaching, and training. Rahul Jain founded Business Coaching India in 2004. An engineer and MBA by qualification, he left his lucrative job at Tata Motors to pursue entrepreneurship. Today he conducts workshops for several leading business houses and particularly helps them focus on doubling their profits and putting work structures in place.
+Is This Opportunity for You?
+When Mark Ford began writing essays for the Extra Income series, he promised to show you dozens of ways to generate more cash. A tall order, for sure. To make good on that promise, Mark brainstormed for months and laid out the specific criteria each opportunity had to meet before we brought it to your attention. Let's review these criteria. We want to see how well becoming a financial advisor passes our litmus test...
+First: Anyone should be able to do it (it's easy and simple to understand).
+In this profession, the barriers to entry are low. You need a cheap, easy-to-obtain certification that is available throughout the country. The certification qualifies you to offer or provide any investment advisory services as allowed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) or Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
+With regard to the SEBI-RIA certification requirement, you need to obtain both NISM Series-X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1) as well as NISM-Series-X-B: Investment Adviser (Level 2) certification.
+In case you wish to be certified only as a mutual fund distributor, you need to obtain NISM-Series-V-A: Mutual Fund Distributors Certification Examination and get an ARN.
+There is no age limit to get NISM certification. For more details about NISM certification, you can visit www.nism.ac.in.
+Second: You should be able to start every opportunity from the comfort of your own home.
+As a financial advisor, you do not need to rent an office, though some do. It is an ideal home business. You can meet with clients at your home or theirs. You can even conduct sessions via phone or Skype. In fact, Skype is an increasingly popular technology for coaches because it offers both voice and video, and you can access clients across the country. To use it, you of course need a computer, a high-speed internet connection, and a (free) Skype account.
+Third: You can choose to work part time or on the weekends.
+You can work as much or as little as you desire by limiting the number of clients they accept. MD, with five years of experience, describes his full schedule as having ten clients for one-on-one consulting, plus a few online relationships. Some consultants take on as many clients as they can handle, while others cherry-pick their clients to create a part-time schedule.
+Fourth: The opportunity should not require a tremendous amount of startup capital.
+The startup costs of this career are low, and there is almost no overhead. If you already have a computer and a Skype account, you can start your coaching practice for a few thousand rupees. Expenses such as business cards are minor. It's a good idea to have a website, as well. At Wealth Builders club we believe it is important to showcase yourself as transparently as you can to get clients, and we show you how to do that. If you choose to get listed as a Certified Financial Guardian, that will cost you another few thousand rupees
+And fifth: You should be able to make Rs 1,500-2,500 per hour.
+You can charge by the hour, by the service, and even on a retainer where you charge an annual fee to manage your client's wealth. You can make a decent living as an advisor.
+However, most financial advisors don't. And that brings us back to the issue we discussed before - trust.
+People don't trust financial advisors. And that is simply because of how the system is set up. An unfair system.
+Our own friends and financial advisors at PersonalFN do exactly this: empower Indians with superior financial planning skills. They exist to guide investors - transparently and without bias - on their journey to financial independence.
+But even after all these years, the gap between the demand for genuinely good financial planning and the supply of capable advisors remains vast.
+So now there are trusted financial advisors, and there are people who need them. How can they come together?
+PersonalFN's latest initiative roused our interest.
+They just launched an exclusive platform of financial advisors. It's for those of you who want to become a financial 'guardian' for lakhs of investors. And it's for those of you who've known the pain of misleading and unethical advisors.
+A Certified Financial Guardian will be a symbol of honesty and commitment to the interests of investors and help build a long-lasting and trustworthy relationship between those who have the savings and need investment guidance - and those who can offer it.
+Many of my Wealth Builders Club members have started new income opportunities for themselves. Some have started money-making websites, others have published books, still others like to teach, garden, or consult...
+A large number of people also want to use their financial know-how to help others gain financial independence.
+Members who have been investing for years...who've used their knowledge of wealth building to lead themselves and their families to financial independence...now want to use these skills to help others do the same.
+This opportunity is for them.
+Get certified, and get busy dispensing trust and financial independence to all those who need it.
+Marketing Your Services
+Once you obtain some training and certifications, you need to recruit clients by marketing and selling your services. A good way to start is to notify everyone in your personal and social networks that you are now available to provide financial advice. Announce your new business on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. When Shriram turned forty, he gave himself a gift. He went and got certified as a financial advisor.
+Now he can make money doing for others what he was already doing for his friends and family - dispensing investment advice.
+But while he loves dispensing financial gyan, he finds that he has trouble finding clients.
+He says almost all of his clients come through either referrals, word of mouth, or by completing a form on his website. He has also registered as a guardian so people who don't know him can trust him. He now travels throughout the country to attend conferences. When he visits a new city, he arranges to meet clients and prospects who live nearby.
+Writing books, white papers, and articles - today known as content marketing - is an effective method of building your reputation as a go-to person for a general or specific market niche. The easiest way to get a book into the marketplace is to publish it as a Kindle ebook and sell it on Amazon (in the Wealth Builders Club, we show you how). Once you find potential clients, first get to know them and find out whether you have a rapport. Spends some time to get to know each prospect, and in some cases, offer an initial advising session at no cost.
+Can You Guarantee Results When Giving Financial Advice?
+You cannot guarantee results. You can only understand the client's needs and advise the client on the best path for them to take. In most cases, you do not do the actual work; the client does that. It is up to your clients to follow your advice to become successful. And whether they do it or not, or even how well they do it, is beyond your control. Make agreements that define what the advisor and client are each responsible for doing.
+What to Do Next
+As a regular reader of Creating Wealth and Mark Ford's Wealth Builders Club materials, your wealth building philosophy is based on solid, tried-and-tested ideas. If you want to brush up on the basics of investment, you will benefit from Equitymaster's investment ideas.
+Consider joining the Certified Financial Guardian platform to give yourself the stamp of 'ethical advisor'. With this platform, you will not only meet clients but other financial advisors who are further along in their careers than you. Their guidance and advice on building a successful practice can be invaluable. And the training offered by PersonalFN can accelerate your learning. As you go about finding your clients, remember that each will be different and will present unique challenges to you. But as you work with them and help them achieve their goals, I am sure you will find outstanding rewards.
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #31: Use Fiverr to Realise Your Freelance Dreams ======
+The first time I heard of Fiverr, I didn't understand what it meant.
+'If you write such good poetry, why don't you try selling it on Fiverr?' my friend remarked.
+'Sorry? Try selling it on...what?' it seemed to me as if I had heard some alien language.
+'On Fiver... F-I-V-E-R-R', my friend spelled it for me. 'Look it up online.'
+Fiverr is a global online marketplace for services that begin at a cost of 5 dollars per job - from which the platform gets its name. '
+'Fiver' stands for a five-dollar (or pound) bill in North America and Britain. A service offered on Fiverr is called a 'gig'.
+The platform is a hub for all kind of small jobs or 'gigs' - writing, translating, editing, sketching, drawing, graphic design, digital marketing, animation, voice over, sound effects, logo design and animation, web programming, e-commerce, astrology, makeup and styling, advertising, lifestyle and private tips...the list goes on. As the company says on its homepage: What do you need done? Find it on Fiverr.
+And you can... Fiverr lists approximately three million gigs that start from $5 and go up to $995.
+More interestingly, according to a report by Forbes, there are freelancers who make six figure amounts (in dollars) a year on Fiverr as it is an expansive platform, and there's no ceiling to the amount of work one can generate.
+If you always wanted to be your own boss, or dreamt to set sail as a freelancer...Fiverr could be your starting point.
+Akshaya joined Fiverr in 2013. He says, 'It was my first experience as a freelancer, and it was good. Fortunately, I got my first order the day I posted my gig. Back then Fiverr didn't have rating system, it just had 'thumbs up' and 'thumbs down' options after a gig was delivered.
+'I mostly got a thumbs up from my client... They'll be happy if you do a good job.'
+Three years down the line, Akshaya lives a 'digital nomad' life; one of his steady sources of income is Fiverr.
+You can also use the platform to generate some extra income while pursuing your day job, or your business startup.
+Here is an overview as to how can you get started and grow on Fiverr, and to check if it's the right opportunity for you.
+How to Get Started
+When my friend suggested that I try Fiverr, I went to the Google Play Store and downloaded the Fiverr app (available on iOS too).
+Also, I visited the website. It had a 'Start Selling' button on the right.
+You can create an account with your email, and start selling your services on Fiverr.
+Fiverr works in three simple steps.
+Step 1: Create a Gig
+Creating a gig on Fiverr is easy. You only need to be extremely clear about the service that you are offering. You need to say exactly what service you will offer, and the shorter and crisper your description, the better your chances of getting buyers' attention.
+My first gig was simple. Because I had travelled a lot in the northern parts of India, I decided to help travellers with their itineraries.
+I explained my service in a few simple words: I will create the perfect itinerary for your Himalayan travel.
+If you are a writer who plans to write and sell birthday greetings on Fiverr, your gig could be 'I will write birthday wishes for your loved ones.'
+If you are a designer, it could be 'I will create an attractive logo for your company.'
+And so on!
+While creating a gig, don't forget to write a little about yourself and your past experiences in the field. Also, mention what details you require from the buyer in order to meet his expectations.
+At the end, you can put a price for your gig...which could be anywhere between $5 - $995. However, if you are a beginner...keep your prices low, or at a basic $5 (Rs 350). You can hike your fees after getting good reviews from buyers.
+Step 2: Deliver good work
+Once you receive an order, you will get notified through an email or app. Fiverr enables you to communicate with your client through their system. Thus, you can talk to him and learn about his needs.
+To build a reputation and get good reviews, deliver your services on time. And make sure you do the best job you can.
+Step 3: Get paid
+Once you complete the order, you get paid via PayPal. Fiverr charges a commission of 20% on your fee. You can then take on other orders.
+Is this opportunity for you?
+Every opportunity that we write about is thoroughly researched by our team, and only when it meets certain parameters do we put it forth to our Club members. Let's see how freelancing on Fiverr passes our litmus test.
+Anyone should be able to do it
+Fiverr is simple and easy to understand. Anyone who understands English could operate the website and the app. Fiverr offers over three million services currently, and a large number of freelancers around the globe are using the website to generate a monthly income.
+The website is convenient to use and sell your gigs.
+You should be able to pursue it from the comfort of your home
+Being an online platform, Fiverr completely enables you to work from wherever you want. Your home could be your office, or a secluded beach in some quiet country, or the hill station that you love.
+As long as you have a good internet connection, and the hardware/software tools that are needed for your gig: you could work from any place.
+You can choose your work hours
+On Fiverr, you can choose the amount of work you want to do. When you sign up and make your gig available to buyers, you give them an estimated time of delivery (or in how many days will you deliver the order). Normally, you can deliver in three to seven days.
+Hence, you get enough time to execute your order, and you're able to choose your work hours.
+The opportunity mustn't require a huge amount of capital
+You don't need a huge investment to get started on Fiverr. You don't need to invest in an office space, furniture, decor, etc. All you need is a laptop (and a smartphone, which people generally have nowadays) with a good internet connection.
+You must be equipped with the software tools and applications required in your job. For example, if your gig is to write CVs...you must have a variety of templates for all kinds of professions. A chartered accountant's resume has to look different than a creative writer applying for a job in an advertising agency.
+You must invest in the pro-versions of software and applications you'd require; you can't afford to do a bad job on Fiverr. It would only attract a bad review from the buyer...and on a platform like Fiverr, every review matters.
+You should be able to make a good sum of money in limited hours
+On Fiverr, you can offer three versions of your service at three different prices.
+These versions depend on the time of delivery and size of the assignments. For example, if you're a voice-over artist, you can charge more as the length of the script increases.
+What works is that you decide exactly the amount of work you are going to do for those 5 bucks. For instance, I wouldn't write 500 words for that kind of money, and most of my customers wanted articles of that extension. So I started offering 200 word articles for US$ 5, and they would pay $15 in order to get one article. - M, a writer on Fiverr
+In the same way, you can offer swift deliveries and charge more for the same.
+If you complete two orders in two hours, charging $10 for each, you can easily make Rs 1,500.
+Goes without saying, this number increases with time and good customer reviews.
+How to grow on Fiverr
+The majority of Fiverr users are sellers, not clients...therefore a cut-throat competition prevails on the platform.
+While your growth will directly depend on the quality of your work and seller-rating, here are a few things you could do as a beginner.
+Choose what you do best
+Probably the wisest thing you could do is...choose a job in which you excel. When a close friend of mine joined the platform - a good photographer, video editor, and scriptwriter; he chose to do writing gigs instead of photography.
+He realised that he possessed good photography skills, but he was better with the pen. Moreover, he had a screenwriting diploma from FTII which formed the backbone of his profile.
+Soon he started receiving several kinds of writing assignments. His major assignment came when he was asked to adapt a British novella into a screenplay.
+Hence, it is important that you realise what could you do better than others. It will help you stay ahead of competition.
+Flaunt your certifications and credibility
+When you are selling gigs on Fiverr, you are dealing with strangers in a virtual world...who won't place their confidence in you until you prove your skill and credibility. It could be done in two ways: a) show them you're qualified to do the gig, and b) show them good ratings from other buyers.
+If you're a beginner, good reviews will take time to pour in; you must always exhibit your qualifications and experience - only they will increase your chances of getting orders when you don't have any ratings.
+Competitive pricing
+On a platform like Fiverr, unreasonably high prices may reduce your chances of receiving orders...especially when someone else is doing the same job at a lower price. Amid cut-throat competition, the price of your services play a big role in determining your success or failure.
+As a beginner, you should keep your prices at a basic level - so that nobody hesitates in trying your services.
+Deliver on time
+Once you get an offer, do your best and deliver on (or preferably before) the deadline. If your period of delivery is seven days, try to complete your gig and deliver it beforehand. Nothing pleases the buyer as much as receiving his order in advance. He'll gladly recommend you to others for your prompt services.
+And nothing beats good ratings in online marketplace.
+If you're looking for a get rich quick scheme, you're not going to find it here. (But) you can sell gigs on Fiverr and generate a steady income from it. - NS, a freelancer on Fiverr
+If you're a 9-5 worker who secretly wants to devour the shackles and travel the world, Fiverr can help you break free. If you want to tap into extra income opportunities by doing micro jobs, Fiverr is the place to turn to! If you harbour a passion for writing, sketching, etc...pursue it professionally.
+Fiverr is a platform where opportunities are unlimited...all you need to do is get started.
+====== Extra Income Opportunity #32: Earn More by Reading Books - Become a Literary Agent ======
+I've had a one-off experience being a literary agent. It happened almost six years ago. I was approached by an Indian novelist based in the UK who asked me to find him a publisher for his debut novel. He is currently a best-selling author, with three novels under his belt... His name is Vish Dhamija and if you buy a copy of his first novel, Nothing Lasts Forever, you'll find my name in the acknowledgements at the beginning.
+He got my reference from a common connect. When he first wrote me asking if I would be his literary agent, I had no clue about the processes it involved. But since I had some time to spare, I told him I would do what I could. I had a fairly good network, and even knew some publishers. But finally the publisher who published the first edition of his book, was not from my previous contacts.
+I simply went to a bookstore, looked for publishers of a similar genre and pitched it to them. And just to inform you, the publisher who made him an offer was the last one I approached. I had written to many publishers with not much success. Both Vish and me had almost given up on finding a suitable publisher for his book... But at the last moment it all came through!
+When novelists talk about rejection, I now understand what they go through. The whole fight to get published can be a daunting one. And that's why the role of a literary agent is so crucial... A literary agent is the one who takes on the arduous job of finding a publisher for the novelist. The novelist can then focus on getting other aspects of the book right, like the editing, proofing cover design, or even finishing the writing of the book, if that's not done yet.
+Back then in India literary agents were few and far between. And there were no clear structures in place about payments etc. So I struck a deal with Vish, saying I would charge him a flat fee of x amount only if someone picked up his book. In the rest of the world, literary agents get a commission from the signing amount for the book, and even a percent of the royalty in some cases. Nowadays, that trend is catching on in India too, with several literary agencies working on a similar business model.
+In this essay, I will give you some tips and strategies you would need to venture into this extra income opportunity. But first...
+What does a literary agent do?
+A literary agent is one who helps find and solicit a publisher for a novelist. The agent helps negotiate the deal, and nowadays even helps with the promotional activities post publication of the book.
+Agents can also help grow a market if the novel has already been published. For example, they could find regional publishers who would publish vernacular versions of the novel, or maybe find foreign publishers who could open up a whole new geographical market for an existing novel. Additionally - a common phenomenon nowadays - they could also help pitch a novel to be adapted into a film or television script.
+Note, as an agent you needn't be an editor of the book too. If you have the skill, great... It's a service you can add. If not, networking and deal-making is the only skill you need. Editors can be outsourced if the novelist requires one. Publishing houses that take on the book also undertake one round of editing, so that aspect gets taken care of eventually.
+What does a literary agent need to start out?
+As a literary agent, the most basic quality you need is a passion for books. You should be an avid reader who is familiar with different genres of writing and familiar with the popular novelists of your time. This will help you understand if the novelist approaching you has written a book of some literary value and if it has any 'bestseller' appeal.
+Also, as an agent you will need to build a network in the publishing industry. If you attend literary fests in your city, you may bump into both publishers and authors there. Literary fests also give insight into the publishing trends for the year.
+At other times, connecting with a publisher can be done by simply writing to the editorial desks at publishing houses. Introduce yourself saying you are representing a particular author of a particular genre; it could be romantic fiction, crime fiction etc. The first mail you send out should have a brief author profile and a synopsis of the proposed novel. This is normally drafted by the author and sent to you when he approaches you or 'queries' you on being an agent.
+If the publisher shows any interest, you could then forward the first three chapters (maximum three chapters) of the manuscript, or as requested. Only when the publisher asks for the complete manuscript, should you request your client (the novelist) to send the whole manuscript. Don't send it at the beginning under any circumstances.
+Some publishers also have online forms to be filled, along with which you can attach the synopsis and the first chapter of the manuscript. You can do this for your client or guide your client on how to do the same.
+How do you price your client, the author?
+Reputed agents will not ask for a reading fee or an editing fee, these are normally built into the commission you receive as an agent. But how do you decide on the commission? Most international agents charge at least 10-15% of the signing amount that the author receives.
+In India this may work differently, you could either charge one consolidated fee for your services, or you could ask for a percent of the royalty decided for the author, because a signing fee tends to be rare if you are getting a new novelist published.
+Additionally, you could create a bouquet of services like editing, assistance in promotions, etc and find more ways to earn from that one deal. But this also means more time and effort given to the project at hand. You may have to go along for book reading and signing sessions, help plan out a social media strategy, and generally be the author's best friend post the release of the book.
+Literary agents are a new phenomenon for India but as the number of writers and books increases every year, you may see this breed of entrepreneurs growing and profiting much more. Moreover, diverse voices means diverse representation, and if you find a nice niche for yourself, it could just become a lucrative business for you too.

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