Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Indexer

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: An indexer organizes entries to help users find information in a document or book.

Education: None necessary, although many indexers have bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

Skills: Excellent language skills, accuracy and attention to detail.

Job outlook: As long as books continue to be published, there will be a need for indexers. However, it’s difficult to track if this is a growing or stagnant job. The good news is that more and more publishing houses are outsourcing their indexing to freelancers, which means indexing can be a good choice for those who want to work from home.

Possible employers: Check out the American Society for Indexers, which has a job-finder section on its website.

Preparation: Join the American Society for Indexers. Take indexing courses from a local college with a library science or information science department. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers two indexing correspondence courses through its Graduate School (type in key word “indexing” to find the courses).

Get your foot in the door: Ask an established indexer for an apprenticeship to build skills and experience.

Until next time,

Sarah

Rejuvenate You

With summer coming to an end and the start of school right around the corner (if it hasn't already started for you by now), now's a good time to think about refreshing yourself. "Tips to Recharge Your Batteries" from Small Business Trends has some ways to rejuvenate you.

Have downtime. Schedule time to not work. Don't wait until you're overtaxed, but work in regular breaks into your workday and workweek. Make sure to turn off your phone or walk away from your computer so you're not tempted to work while you're supposed to be relaxing.

Read for pleasure. Most of us have a "must-read" stack relating to our business, but we should also have books we want to read for fun. If you have trouble coming up with a title or craving out time for reading for pleasure, considering joining a local book club. Bonus: book clubs will get you out of the house for regular meetings.

Find personal enrichment. Sign up for a class in something non-work related. Pick up that musical instrument you played as a kid. Become a member of a local museum or theater group.

Work on checking off your master life to-do list. Call it a bucket list or what-I'll-do-when-I-retire list, stop waiting for someday and start planning to tackle some of those things now. Whether it's travel or learning a new language, come up with a plan and implement it. You'll be glad you did.

By enriching your overall life, you will find more energy and inspiration in your work. Now, you'll excuse me if I go finish Bleak House by Charles Dickens, my book club's summer reading pick...

Until next time,


Sarah

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Tailor

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: A tailor alters clothing for clients.

Education: None necessary.

Skills: The ability to sew and alter a variety of clothing, including pants, dresses, suits and jackets.

Job outlook: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of sewers and tailors is expected to experience little or no change, growing 1% from 2010 to 2020. Growth will be limited as clothing continues to be made in other countries and the demand for custom clothing keeps declining. However, job prospects are good for skilled workers.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers: Contact local dry cleaners to see about tailoring work. Also, stop by area fabric stores to inquire if you can advertise your services there.

Preparation: Join the Custom Tailors & Designers Association, which offers ways to connect with other tailors and continuing classes.

Get your foot in the door: Consider contacting Dress to Success or other charities that help clothe low-income clients for job interviews to offer your services at a reduced rate or for free.

Until next time,

Sarah

Bossing Yourself

Can you be the boss of you? Running a home-based business or working from home requires that you can successful run you. "Are You Your Own Worst Boss?" from Mashable has some words of wisdom about motivating yourself.

Get the tools to help you do a better job. Don't make yourself work harder than you have to simply to save a few dollars by not upgrading computer or other essential equipment. Be frugal, but practical.

Continue learning. Whether through workshops or formal education, make sure you're staying up-to-date on the ins and outs of your field.

Value your work, services or products. Don't price yourself so low that you end up working more hours. Think about what your product or service really costs and price accordingly.

Reward yourself. When you land a big client, or finish a large project, don't forget to celebrate. It could be a day off to go to the beach or an hour spent reading your favorite novel--whatever will help you to observe the event.

Be a good boss to yourself and reap the benefits of having such a positive work environment.

Until next time,

Sarah

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Personal Trainer

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: A personal trainer works with a variety of individuals on instructing those individuals in exercise activities.

Education: Certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine or the American Council of Exercise.

Skills: The ability to motivate clients through a customized exercise plan and routine.

Job outlook: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by 24% from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. As businesses and insurance organizations continue to recognize the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees, incentives to join gyms or other fitness facilities will increase the need for workers in these areas.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers: Call area gyms to see about getting listed as a personal trainer. Visit senior centers to inquire about holding low-impact and other appropriate exercise class members. Consider starting your own business or joining with another personal trainer in your area.

Preparation: Join the National Academy of Sports Medicine or the American Council of Exercise. Take continuing education or certification courses from the above-mentioned organizations.

Get your foot in the door: Ask a professional organizer in your area or a nearby area if you could shadow her on a client visit to make sure this is a good fit for you.

Until next time,

Sarah

At Home News: Home-Based Business Profile of Public Relations/Advertising

The August issue of At Home News profiles Suzy Ginsburg, who runs her own PR and advertising business from her home.

If you're not a subscriber, you can sign up for the free monthly e-newsletter by clicking on the Newsletter tab. I never sell or give out my subscriber list.

Until next time,

Sarah

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Menu Planner

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: A menu planner plans menus for individuals, parties, restaurants and other foodservice establishments.

Education: Background in cooking, including formal training at community colleges, technical schools, culinary arts schools and two-year or four-year institutions is a plus.

Skills: The ability to plan a variety of menus, including ones for special diets, such as gluten-free, kosher, vegan and vegetarian.

Job outlook: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “employment of chefs and head cooks is projected to experience little or no change from 2010 to 2020. Although overall job opportunities are expected to be good, competition is expected to be high for jobs at upscale restaurants, hotels, and casinos, where the pay tends to be greater.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers: Contact local groups, such as Jewish centers (for kosher menus), to see about leads. Join area online clubs relating to your specialty to get your name out there.

Preparation: Become familiar with specific diets, such as kosher or vegan, by taking classes in food preparation for those diets.

Get your foot in the door: Consider contacting local charities that work with the poor or indigent about helping them plan menus for their soup kitchens or clients.

Until next time,

Sarah

The Ins and Outs of Kickstarter

If you're looking for funds for a project, Kickstarter might be for you. "Funding For a Small Project or Product with Kickstarter" from Small Business Trends provides an overview of how this online service works and why it might be good for you.

Here's how Kickstarter works: you basically pre-sell a product to real consumers before it's ready for the market. If your project has a clear goal and will eventually be completed, then you can use Kickstarter to raise funds. Starting a business, however, does not qualify as a project. Categories include art, comic, dance, design, fashion, film, food, games, music, photography, publishing, technology and theater.

Of the more than 26,000 project successfully funded, more than 18,000 raised between $1,000 and $9,999, which makes Kickstarter a good fit for small business projects.

Until next time,

Sarah

Work-From-Home Job Spotlight: Genealogy Researcher

Each Thursday, I’m highlighting a work-from-home job or business.

Job Description: A genealogy researcher helps people find their ancestors.

Education: None necessary, but a background in history is a plus.

Skills: The knowledge and ability to find records and other historical documents relating to personal heritage and genealogy.

Job outlook: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that “Employment of historians is expected to grow 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.” Check out the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for more details.

Possible employers: Check out the National Genealogical Society, the Association for Professional Genealogists and Genealogy Research Associates for leads. Consider starting your own consulting business or joining with other genealogists.

Preparation: Join the National Genealogical Society or the Association for Professional Genealogists. Take genealogy research courses from the above-mentioned organizations.

Get your foot in the door: Start with your family or friends and offer to do a family tree for a reduced price or as a gift to gain expertise and recommendations.

Testimony: Ashley offers genealogy research assistance through the website FIVERR. “I help people start their family trees going back four generations from their grandparents,” she says, adding that she has had more than 300 clients so far. “I have been a researcher for over 25 years now. … Most folks cannot afford the price for an Ancestry membership or to hire a professional genealogist. I offer the service for the working man and I love what I am doing.” She backs up her research through U.S. Census reports, military documents and other historical data.

“I don’t know if this will ever grow to a revenue that would support the household finances. However, the revenue I generate does supplement and make things easier at the end of the month,” says Ashley. “I encourage you to think outside the box, find your passion and market that passion. I love genealogy and I love the fact that I am able to help someone discover who they are and where they come from.”

Until next time,

Sarah