If you have just left your job, then now is the time to start your own business working from home.
You may have years of experience and a wealth of skills in your field and you can use this bring in a good income without leaving your home office – or your living room.
How to Get Started
There are many options for work at home professionals.
You can consult in the field that you’re an expert in, use your creative skills to write or design, or help others improve their work by proofreading and editing. These are just a few of the options that are available.
Finding Work Online and Offline…
The most important thing to do when you begin freelancing your skills is to make it possible for clients to find you.
You will certainly need a website with a resume, samples, testimonials and a contact form. It is also wise to have a presence on freelance job boards and other sites where companies that outsource post opportunities.
That will help you to find the jobs you need quickly.
However, even if you have a home-based business, don’t neglect offline promotion. Putting a leaflet up in a local shop or visiting your local Chamber of Commerce can also bring work opportunities your way.
Build Your Portfolio
Many people worry that they don’t have examples of the work they can do. Even if your previous work is owned by your former company, you can still create similar samples to show to potential clients. Excerpts from reports and carefully chosen sections of presentations can showcase your expertise, making you an attractive prospect for clients who want to outsource work.
Be Disciplined in Managing Your Time
Discipline is also essential when working from home.
It can be hard to keep to a structured day when you don’t have to clock in at the office, but having a structure will make you a more successful work at home professional. Develop good time management skills.
Decide how much time you will spend on looking for work, self promotion and doing work each day. Even if you have to alter this, it will help you to gauge how much you have accomplished each day.
It is also worth using some time management tools, such as a time tracker, to check that you are charging appropriately for your services when working from home.
Check our time management tips for more useful advice.
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