I work from home and love what I do and I do what I love to do. That is share what I have learned over the years. Even though for many years I was convinced I had nothing to share that could make me any money. I was wrong.

First a brief history about where I came from.

I was born in the early 50s, to an mother that abused drugs and was also an alcoholic. My father, well he just put up with. By age 5 I was in the Children’s Aid and put in many foster homes.

At age 8 I was put on a farm where I was being groomed to take the place of kids that were old enough that they couldn’t keep them any longer. I can’t tell you how much I hated that place and ran away on my 15th birthday to become a Toronto street kid. It was better than the farm.

I only made it as far as grade nine so I had no diploma so I ended up taking what ever jobs were available to me. I was a hard worker and strong so I had no problem getting work and no one ever asked me my age.

I spent a lot of time day dreaming about having my own business with people working for me. But time went on and those thoughts sort of faded away in to the back of my mind, seldom reaching the surface.

That’s the condensed version of my life to that point but it gets better. I just wanted to show that someone with little hope for the future can still make it in this world.

That Was Then And This Is Now

When I was about 30 I worked at a place that had a few computers. I would play on them during my breaks. Well not really play. I would try to get the dumb thing to print my name on the screen and eventually I did it.

I continued to learn new things about the computer and before long I was being asked questions a lot of computer related question. Who would have ever thought I would be able to answer and actually have the right answers.

That started me on a path as a computer instructor that went for the next 20 years. All because I took an interest in computers.

Well I also took an interest in many other things over the years as hobbies and interest. Now I make money from most of the hobbies and interest I have and so can you if you just believe you have knowledge you can share.

What Do You Know That Others Want To Know?

Seriously, I want you to think about what you know that others would like to know and write it all down. Make a list of your skills, no matter how insignificant you might think those skills are.

To get that grey matter in gear allow me to use myself as an example here:

Once I learned a thing or two or three about computers a company close to where I live hired me to sit at there computer and learn their business software while they watched me. By the way they paid me $35.00 an hour to teach myself their software, how cool is that.

So Make That List Of Skills

I didn’t call them skills, they were more about stuff I know but once I started writing them down I just kept adding to the list as things came to mind. If you had said I had computer skills I probably would have argued that I didn’t really have computer skills. However to a non computer person I was a genius.

Now I have a list of things I know others would like to know and I make money blogging about them.

The Work From Home Opportunity Is Knocking

I love asking this next question: How much spare time do you have?

The usually response is to ask what spare time is. Then we both laugh. But seriously it doesn’t take much time to get a work from home business started. Don’t put it off as it can be a life changing experience.

Very few people I talk with don’t have any spare time. Usually they will be able to pin point some things that are time wasters and than is where they find that time needed to start an online business, although it doesn’t have to be online at all, it’s just my preference.

One hour a day is better than one hour a week but if that’s all you have you can still get things started.

Note: Once people see that they really can work from home and make money they seem to find more spare time in a hurry. Give it a try and you will see exactly what I mean.

An hour a week is still going to give you more than 50 hours of work time and if that time is focused, with no play, you can have a business that is earning money. So think about what would happen if you were to put in, say an hour a day.

Here are a few things I do that help me make money online working from home:

1. Web Site Design – Help other create web pages. It’s easy when you have the tools and with just a little learnin’ you can do a great job and make some really good money for your time.

2. Computer Training Tips – If you are a bit of geek like I have been for the past 20 years you can create a tips site or better yet, an ebook that you can sell and have others sell for you.

3. Fly Tying Artificial Flies – Fly fishing is huge and I am a bit of a fanatic, so I started tying the flies that work for me and sharing my stories on a fly fishing site I created and people that like fly fishing and catching fish started buying my flies.

4. Gardening Tips And Tricks – Who hasn’t thought about gardening when times are tough, like they are in most places these days? Well I started a few gardening blogs where I share tips and of course products that have allowed me to work smarter instead of harder in my garden.

5. Beginner Guitar Tips – Now I am not a great guitar player by any stretch of the imagination but I am better than people that don’t play YET!! Sharing the joy that is guitar playing grabs so many people’s attention and is an opportunity to make money by teaching others that basics and even a few songs.

I can’t believe I went for so long convinced I didn’t have skill that would make me money working from home. Don’t let yourself get caught up in this loser mindset.

Aside from having a profit-pulling product or service, here are the four major factors that MUST be used as criteria in determining if a home based business opportunity
has a chance of succeeding.

1. CAN YOU AFFORD IT

`One might be inclined to think that this is is of the utmost importance when choosing what home based business might best be suited to your particular situation. After all, some pretty major decisions must be made regarding this one question.

• What will it cost to get this baby up and running?

If you’ve come up with an innovative  idea for a widget to sell then give some thought to the cost of making a few test runs.

• Are there enough funds in my savings account for a successful start-up?

Ideally you have had a chance to sock away enough money over a period of time to cover any expenses for getting started in your new work from home program. This may be a good time to take advantage of all your options…take on a partner?

2. COMPENSATION

Some might say that this is the most important thing when it comes to choosing a good work at home program Again, there are a few questions that must be asked.

• What return can I expect on my investment (of time and money)?

Let’s be realistic here. Mull over the cost estimates for producing your widgets and what you think others would be willing to pay for them. Ask yourself “is this something that other people need?” or better yet,”Is this something that other people want?”.

• How long will it be before I will be able to see a profit?

You must certainly consider the length of time from the moment fabrication starts to your first real payday.

3. DUPLICATION

This is indeed a particularly vital point of consideration if you want this new business to be your “way out”. For that to happen you must learn to leverage other people’s time.

• How will I duplicate my efforts if I’m working from home?

Now the average home owner isn’t real keen on having a house full of bodies falling all over each other even if they are there to help. Once in awhile it’s tolerable but day in and day out? You had better have nerves of steel!

• What will I offer by way of training for my helpers?

Track down any training aids that might facilitate the training process and perhaps shorten the learning curve. It’s a good idea to focus on training a few leaders  who will then be able to teach the others and take the yoke off of your shoulders.

4. MARKETING

An excellent marketing system could be considered paramount to the success of any new home business. This is a good time for the next question.

• What is the best way to get people to buy my product?

Hopefully you had the foresight to include a substantial marketing budget. Good advertising that sends hoards of hungry prospects to your door does not come cheaply.

• Should I use internet marketing or stick to offline methods?

It is a good idea to utilize every means at your disposal to reach as many people as you possibly can with your message. It is ultimately a numbers game. The more people you get your product in front of, the more you’re going to sell. Learn what it takes to push people’s “Buy Buttons”.  A good deal of research has gone into developing marketing systems that work consistently.
A good way to get a business with a proven marketing system is to partner with a company that is already in existence. You could become an affiliate of this company and sell their products for a commission.

Paying attention to these 4 crucial points will give you a running start at owning and operating a successful home based business. In truth, they are all equally important when it comes to picking the right business for you.