Just A Reminder: You Can Start A Business with Anything

Now don't get your hopes up that I'm about to reveal some lucrative, untapped business secret. This is just something that happened that reminded me anything is possible.

About a week ago my roommate finally buckled down and decided to get the car checked. He expected that a worker at Auto Zone would diagnose the car's problems with a code reader, but his plans were ruined when he was informed that the practice is illegal in our state. While a clerk may not diagnose a car using a code reader, it is perfectly legal to buy the reader and check the vehicle yourself.

As you might expect, the code reader wasn't cheap. I believe he paid $66 for the cheaper one. So in an effort to make back the investment, he posted an ad online offering to read the codes for others for only $5. Turns out a lot of people have this problem. The ad was flooded with takers immediately. Now my roommate is not only covering the cost of the reader, he's started a savings account with these earnings that will cover the auto repair!

Granted this isn't a huge business, just a small local service, I was kind of inspired. My friend felt ripped off, and in five minutes started a business with this experience. Just a small bit of proof for everyone how easy it can be.

Why Everyone is Writing E-books, and Why You Should Too

Over the past few years e-book sales have exploded. E-readers are improving and more companies are offering self publishing. Regardless, we all grew up knowing that not just anyone can write a book. Wrong. Everybody knows something, and there's at least one person out there who wants to know what you know.

Now the big question: Why? Well really, why not? It's easy, costs little to nothing, and makes money. Best of all anybody can do it. You can self publish your e-book for free through Amazon or Smashwords (and I'm sure there are others), add a price tag, and then only put in as much work as you feel like.

Once the work is over, your E-book is not only proof of your knowledge but passive income! You'll earn every time someone purchases your book for as long as it's available.

Common Misconceptions About Writing an E-book

It will cost me a fortune.

No, not really. If you invest time and work it won't cost a dime. However that would nan doing everything yourself, including designing the cover, marketing, editing, etc. Fear not if you don't have all the necessary skills. Ever hear of Fiverr? Super cheap, quality work. Fiverr has many gigs for your e-book such as: Cover Design, Writing, Editing, Book Reviews, and Marketing.

I'm not experienced enough.

In what exactly? Writing? You have to get experience somehow. Hire an editor our a ghost writer to help you if you feel truly unconfident.

If you are inexperienced in the field you are writing first you need to determine if your knowledge is limited or if you're just nervous about writing it down. If you are writing a (non fiction) book and don't know what you're talking about, stop now and pick a new topic. Your focus is not in the right place and you will likely embarrass yourself.

Adult Jobs Online

I'm sure some of you are wondering but afraid to ask, “Can I make money doing adult work at home?" The answer is yes, and here's how.

Webcam Model

As a webcam model you are an adult performer on video, live or recorded or both. You set your own rules and your own rates. However if you work through a cam site you'll typically receive only 50-80% of your earnings. A way around this is to become an independent model, which requires much more work (advertising, web hosting, client base) on your part. Some good newbie sites are

Chaturbate.com

Streammate.com

MyFreeCams.com

As a performer you set your own limits, but you MUST be careful. I cannot stress enough how important it is to never disclose personal details such as your name or location. This may seem like an obvious thing to say, but some things are easy to overlook. If you become a performer you must create an entirely new presence on the web under your stage name. For example, if you create your own website it needs to be registered under your email dedicated to your stage name.

Phone Sex Operator (PSO)

As a PSO you are a voice performer. You still set your rates and share with the website. You won't be required to do video though some sites will let you do both. They may also require photos. Phone sex may seem a little easier to do since no one is watching you. You could be sitting in you pjs for all they know! 

Text Chat Operator

While ideal, in my experience these jobs are hard to come by. This involves dirty chat with strictly text. You do not set your own rates most of the time and most places require a schedule. There's also a hiring process and tests to pass, so you get just sign up and go. Apply at Text121chat.com.

You can also list yourself on Extra Lunch Money, where you set your rate and text message customers through the ELM secure platform (no one can see your phone number).

If you are an existing model with a fan base seeking extra income try Arousr.com. This is setting and includes photos of yourself.

Other Adult Jobs

Though the above are the most frequent jobs, there are a few other online opportunities in the adult industry.

I haven't tried it myself but on Adult Sex Work you can get paid to have virtual sex (like IMVU or Second Life). You do have to pay a monthly fee for an account though. While I'm on that track, you can also be an escort on Second Life. You can have a free or premium account. I suggest premium since it includes a home you can take clients to, but there are other ways. On Second Life you can be a text escort and have virtual sex. You can also include voice or sell can shows if you choose.

Another option is abusing affiliate links for cam sites. You can either find ways to get customers to sign up under your affiliate or be an “agent" and recruit models. If the latter interests you Internet Modeling has an earning program specifically for agents.

Adult Job Boards

SexyJobs

LustJobs

AdultStaffing

Establishing Your Work Space

Even if you're only working on click sites and surveys it's still important to have a dedicated work space. A work space keeps things organized (or as organized as you can be) and reminds you "I need to do work here." For example at my desk I have:

• My computer
• A notebook containing website usernames/passwords/email addresses
• Phone and netbook for multitasking (TOTALLY optional, I'm just a geek)
• Notes on rates and referrals

This isn't a strict list. These things may not apply to you. What's important is that you have everything you could possibly need to get your work done.

Another important factor within your work space is distractions. We all know the ideal work area is supposed to be alone in a practically sound proof room, but that doesn't always happen does it? I have a one year old, so I'm never alone and there are almost always cartoons in the background. Even when she's sleeping I play the tv for background noise. If you have kids though, try to set up your space so they aren't tempted to come touch everything and run away with your stuff. This can be frustrating. If you have a desk with a hutch, please utilize it. If not just keep things where they are furthest from child reach.

Keep away reminders of other, non-work related things you could be doing. This includes tv guides, that book you've been reading, your phone (if you don't need it for work), etc. When you hit a frustrating bump and don't know what to do next or are just settling into your work routine, it will be really easy to say, "Hey I can do this and then come back to what I'm doing later." Once you leave your station though, the distractions keep coming. You'll wanna catch up on a tv show, your book, laundry, and the list goes on.

This wasn't a totally enlightening super post, but in my opinion the work space is very important. My desk is my NEST and I practically live here. Hopefully these few tips help with your work day. Comment if you have any tips of your own to add!

Survey Says!

One really common way of earning online is taking surveys. It's not much work and completely flexible. The trouble is finding good payout and surveys you qualify for. Your best bet is to sign up for multiple panels. This way you have a better chance of making money. I've compiled some low hassle survey panels below.

YouGov

YouGov sends multiple surveys a week via email. You can save the emails or just log into the panel and take your survey. The best part about YouGov is you always qualify for the surveys they send you (in my experience). You can personalize your account and choose your interests, but this may reduce your chances of receiving qualifying surveys. Payment is based on a point system; you cash in points for gift cards. Most of the surveys are short and sweet, paying around 500 points. There are higher paying surveys though. This panel also has a referral program. 1,000 points per friend once they've completed 3 surveys. 

Global Test Market

A nice, legitimate survey panel. There are usually quite a few surveys available every day. Pay is done through points that can be cashed for gift cards. There isn't much to the referral system. You get 20 points for every friend you refer that completes a survey.  

Cashcrate

Cashcrate has endless surveys, bonus surveys, and Top surveys, which are higher paying. Cashcrate also has other “paid to" tasks and a pretty cool referral program. You can read more about it in my Cashcrate post. 

Survey Savvy

Every dedicated survey taker has this panel on their list. Survey Savvy is one of the most reliable and raved about panels out there. In addition you can download Savvy Connect to your PC, tablet, or phone to earn up to $60 a month. 

Swagbucks

Much like Cashcrate, Swagbucks is another “paid to" site. There's quite a bit more to on Swagbucks though. In addition to features on Cashcrate such as surveys, tasks, and videos you can also earn by taking small daily polls, searching the web, playing games, and even using coupons in a store! Referrals will earn you 10% of their earnings for life. You hard earned "Swagbucks" can be redeemed for various gift cards (including Amazon and PayPal), donated to charity, or entries in a Swagbucks sweepstakes.

Cashcrate

Cashcrate is a simple, reliable "paid to" site. You have many options to make money and they're all fairly easy.

Offers

For starters, you have Offers, paid and free. These are mostly trials or freebies to sucker you out of your email (so use your spam address!). If you sign up for a trial, write it on your calendar so you can remember to cancel unless you really enjoy the service.

Surveys

There are two different tabs for Surveys: "Surveys" and "Top Surveys". The only difference really is that top surveys pay more. You wont always qualify for surveys, but keep trying because its a great way to rack up cash.

Referrals

Refer your friends! They'll enjoy it too, and you can earn from them. For every new member you refer you get 20% of what they make and 10% of what their referrals make. You also get a $3.00 bonus once the make their first $10. As you level up, you receive more from referrals. 

Videos

This tab isn't always available, but when it is take advantage. You get $0.02 for each video. Easy, easy cash. 

Payout

You have to reach $20 to cash out. Pay is via check. If you reach Silver level you may cash out via PayPal or direct deposit.

Online Sales-How is Everyone Selling Products but Me?

We've all seen representatives from Beachbody, Thrive, etc. posting for help with sales and boasting about how much they bring from selling their company's products. Sounds easy and great so why not try it, right? For some reason though, once you've signed up, or worse, purchased a starter kit, you can't seem to sell the products. Your friends and family aren't interested and the people you reach out to are trying to sell you on their home based business. So why is everyone else so successful while you're struggling to make a single sale? This is an answer I wish I'd known at the beginning of my work at home journey, and it may surprise you: They're not.

These people aren't making their money selling products. and most of them have probably never sold any company products. The reality is that they're making money from people like you, signing up to make money. Most of these companies offer referral bonuses, so instead of selling products members rack up referrals making all their cash from bonuses. Sometimes they let you believe you'll be selling too, and others they're slightly more honest with posts like "Make Money Posting Ads".

Technically you are selling, but you're selling a business opportunity instead of a product. Personally I find this to be really dishonest. It may sound easy to earn from referrals, but there are so many of these programs around now. Competition is steep. All you can do is spam Craigslist and Facebook and pray for some major suckers. If you're looking for legit sales, steer clear of these. Look for the old fashioned direct sales you're familiar with such as: Avon, Mary Kay, Scentsy, etc.

Still interested? Check out some of these (NOT referral links):

Project Payday
Instant Rewards
Le-Vel