Ask Me Help Desk - No Income

No Income

I really need help here. I'm 53 and out of work due to lay-offs. East Tn. And have clerical and data entry skills.
Does anyone... please have any work-at-home solutions?
Thank you in advance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckleroo

I really need help here. I'm 53 and out of work due to lay-offs. East Tn. and have clerical and data entry skills.
Does anyone.....please have any work-at-home solutions?
Thank you in advance.

I would suggest doing a search for "homeshoring" or "telecommuting."There are quite a number of companies who hire people to work from home. If you have a college education, there are even more through teaching and nonprofit work.

Start your own internet based business. Some ideas... Ebay, craft sales, consulting...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjwoodhull

Start your own internet based business. Some ideas... Ebay, craft sales, consulting...

Have you ever done any of the things you suggested?

I currently work out of my home. I am a full time event planner and wedding coordinator. I started this business a little over three years ago. I also do free lance restaurant consulting. This is done about 50% telecommuting and 50% site visits for as long as the specific jobs last.

I'm sure you know what you are good at and what your strenghths are. Work with that. Even if you don't make as much as you would like in the beginning, it's still better than the nothing that you are making now. It is also great to throw yourself into something that challenges you and that you enjoy.

I'm slooow. How does one get started? I would like to do at-home work for hospitals or something of that nature. I'm a very good typist. I just don't know how to start.

First think about how you want to do this... Do you want to start a company? If so, what kind? An LLC, an S-Corp, etc. Read up on all the options and decide what makes the most sense for you from a tax stand point. You could also not form a company and work free lance. This is a risk from an insurance/lawsuit point of view. Also, potential clients might (although I don't know the answer in your field and city) take you more seriously as a company rather than an individual.

Once you have decided the best structure for yourself, move forward in creating it. The best advice I can give is BE ORGANIZED!

Once you are ready to handle clients, identify your target market. Is it hospitals that might need help with data entry? Or law firms? Or accounts? Research your competition in your area. See what they offer and figure out what you can do to stand out.

Then advertise and hope for the best. Cold call potential clients and try to set up appointments or ask if you can send them information. Advertise in local publications and on the internet. Create a website. When you get an inquiry, ask how they heard about you. This will help to determine what ad money is being well spent.

Believe in what you are selling! Hiring you for extra typing/data entry could be a real money saver for someone. They don't have to spend time and money on hiring, training, benefits and eventually unemployment when the work runs out.

Do not rope yourself into something too specific. You business will not always develop into your vision of it - but that is OK. I started thinking I would be primarily a corporate event and party planner, but now weddings are 50% of my business.

This is the basic formula. I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have as you move forward.

You could try Medical Billing Companies in your area, they need people to post payments, etc.

You might try free local training put on by church groups, etc. often the people putting on the training may need help in the business they are running and pick from the trainee pool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolutionsNow

I would suggest doing a search for "homeshoring" or "telecommuting."There are quite a number of companies who hire people to work from home. If you have a college education, there are even more through teaching and nonprofit work.

Have you done any of these things? How do you find one that is legitimate?

Hi, speckleroo!

You've already received some fine answers above! I would like to know what other types of skills and interests that you have, please?

Most of what I do for a living, I would consider to be home-based. However, they are all service oriented and fairly specialized things to do.

Thanks!

I was the paginator at a newspaper when I relocated and entered the world of data entry. I've done graphic arts and built ads. I love to paint and read. I type 80wpm.

Thanks!

Is your resume all up to date? Do you also have examples of the work that you've done?

Yes I do. I've posted it all on several sites. Not much luck in East TN.

Is there a local newspaper around where you are that you could apply, or at least submit your information and examples of what you've done?

Just trying to narrow thing down here a bit...

Thanks!