Many people have taken a risk by leaving the corporate atmosphere to become their own boss. And, many of them have ventured into the world of Internet Entrepreneurism. There are various opportunities and business ideas to choose from, making it a popular option to the traditional 9 – 5 grind.
I am going to list some of these ideas, and briefly describe what they are. If they pique your interest, then dive into a little research of your own to see if that particular field is right for you. If you are looking for a flexible career and love the Internet, then there is something for you.
So, read on and take notes. You just might get inspired to create your own field.
Idea #1 – Virtual Assistant
Due to modern technology, virtual assistants are becoming more and more popular. This is where the duties of an administrative assistant are done remotely, allowing the worker to work from home. You can either be employed by a company, or contract your services out as an independent contractor.
In addition to the Internet, other modern technology such as VOIP and Skype make communications easy to stay in touch with the company, or customers. Fax machines, web-conferencing, and email are now considered acceptable forms of communication, making this a growing field.
Idea #2 – Affiliate Marketing
You can also try your hand at affiliate marketing, which is a method of marketing built on performance and compensation tied to the number of visits to a company’s website. As the affiliate marketer, you are responsible for driving traffic to the sites, so they flourish.
The common parties involved are the merchant, network, publisher, and the customer. You will most likely be working with search engine optimization strategies, as well as pay-per-click features and email marketing programs.
The field is growing so much that there are also opportunities for affiliate program managers, who will manage all the above for those who choose to hire it out. This is common for people with multiple sites.
Idea #3 – Server Administrator
A server administrator (SA) is someone who controls a server, or an operating (computer) system, often associated with a large company. I will be honest…this area is not my expertise. In fact, it’s not for many people, which is why there is a need for the field.
What a SA normally does is create and install a company’s server, then optimize and maintain it for them to make sure it’s running appropriately. Most companies will pay for someone outside of the company to do this service, because it’s time consuming. It is also important for a business to function properly.
I came across a pointed quote by Wietse Venema, which is appropriate as to why this field is in demand: “Defect-free software does not exist.”
Perhaps the best news about this field that is there is a great deal of training to keep you informed of new technology and changes that often occur. Courses, such as vSphere 5 training, are great for people wanting to stay current, as well as train from home.
Idea #4 – Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is a great field to get into if you like to write, especially with some freedom. There are even several business ideas within this one idea, such as:
- Idea #5 – Blogger
- Idea #6 – Ghostwriter
- Idea #7 – Journalist
As a freelance writer, I really enjoy it because it gives me the freedom and flexibility to work when I want to, and as much as I want to …in the comfort of my own home. If I want to take a little time to spend with my son at a school function, I can. The time I take off can easily be made up when he is in bed…if needed.
Idea #8 – Social Media Marketing
If you were in Social Media Marketing, you would be responsible for driving traffic to your client’s website, through engaging people on sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The goal is to create content on these social media sites that people will share with others, spreading the name and news of the company through the social media site. Quick and easy advertising, basically.
You might have noticed some of this work, if you have an account with Facebook or Twitter. If you have ever noticed links or posts that your friends or family members are posting on their page, they did so by simply clicking on the ‘share’ link. What easier way is there to spread advertising?
Idea #9 – Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a method of making a website more visible through the use of keywords and keyword phrases. An SEO expert will find appropriate words, and then either insert these words/phrases into written material, sell this service to the client, or hire a freelance writer to do it for them.
The idea is to bring more traffic to a website by using words that people are searching for in their search engine.
In Closing…
There are other fields to consider in addition to the ones I listed above. To get a good idea of what people are doing, take a look at freelancing sites that are a community of clients and contractors seeking each other out. You will notice what’s available, and what is popular.
About the author: Kathy Barber is a freelance writer, currently working on a series of articles inspired through her research of CCNA certifications and Internet entrepreneurism on www.ecourseclassroom.com. She was raised in West Michigan, and currently lives nearby with her husband and son. When she is not writing, she enjoys boating, browsing the Internet, cooking, and playing with her family.
Image Credit: Flavio Takemoto