INTRODUCTION
Not everyone wants to own
their own business, and not everyone who wants
to is capable of being a success. But for those
of you who currently own, or are thinking of
buying a personal computer, you can just about
guarantee yourself that for just a few hours of
your spare time, you could easily produce an
income that exceeds your current monthly
earnings. Thousands of success stories have been
documented, and you could easily earn up to
$5,000 a month, and more, in your spare time.
And if you enjoy computers, you can have fun
while you earn your extra income.
Home based computer
entrepreneurs were once predicted to be "the
wave of the future." The U.S. Labor Department
believes that up to half of all Americans could
be working at home by the year 2000. If that
prediction is true, a large number of these
workers will be home based employees of various
major corporations. Millions of others however
will be home based entrepreneurs engaged in a
business of their own.
The computer revolution of
the 1980’s has created the computer explosion of
the 1990’s. It has also paved the way for a new,
very lucrative cottage industry that should
continue to be highly profitable for home
business entrepreneurs in the 1990’s and beyond.
Successful computer
entrepreneurs have shown that it doesn't matter
if your computer is a simplified Apple, or a
loaded IBM PC, you can use it to make more money
in your spare time than you ever dreamed was
possible.
In his book, The Third Wave,
author Alvin Tofler predicted that the
electronic cottage would be the mom and pop
business of the future. The "future" has
arrived! Increasing numbers of home based
businesses have made Tofler's predication a
reality.
To become a successful part
of this reality, you must first of all have a
plan. An important part of that plan is to not
only decide what type of work you would most
like to do with your computer, hut what type of
business you are best suited for. For example,
do you like working with children? If so, as a
computer consultant you could help children find
a computer and program that is compatible to
various age groups. You could also program
games, become a home tutor, and even have local
schools refer students to you.
Maybe you are interested in
creative writing. With programs that are now
available you can create original verse for any
occasion, design crosswords, puzzles, develop
and sell your own computer programming courses,
start a computer newsletter, or publish your own
How To books.
There is by no means a solid
criterion for becoming a successful computer
entrepreneur. Many people go into business with
the singular goal of making money. Still, you
may want to consider doing something that you
are happiest doing. Your own interests and
experience will help you make that decision, and
consequent business success.
Another part of any business
plan should of course include knowing exactly
what is required. What will it cost? What can
you charge for your services? How will you
market your service? How many hours can you
dedicate to your business? What are local,
state, and federal responsibilities, licenses,
taxes? Do you know how to keep good accounting
records?
Before a person can say they
are qualified to run a business, they must
determine those qualifications through planning.
There is of course nothing you cannot accomplish
if you set your mind to it. However, you must
have a clear concept of what it is that you
enjoy doing, and what you want from your
business venture.
This book is designed to show
you how to create a plan, especially for you,
and then help you set your goals. It has been
written in easy to understand language for the
average person, who would like to begin making
money full time or part time with their personal
computer, the easy, enjoyable, and successful
way. |
RoDI
ISOC
IWA
ARTT
RTS
WQC 2003 
ISAQ 2005