TURN YOUR PC INTO A PROFIT CENTER

Even though personal computers have been around for several years, the market is still growing in

many areas. With some imagination and initiative, you can join the thousands of entrepreneurs who

are using computers to make money in such businesses as word processing, bookkeeping, desktop

publishing, and computer training or sales.

Don't despair even if you don't know much about them. Today's computer equipment is relatively inexpensive, making computer-related businesses among the least expensive to start.

The software you can use as the basis of a business is generally easy to learn and use. With some

software, you can go from novice to expert in just a few weeks, if you make an effort to learn and

spend time practicing.

Here are eight ways you can profit from computers. Don't be afraid to adapt each idea to fit your

preferences and the needs of the people in your area. In particular, you may want to incorporate

several of these services into one business, possibly increasing your profit potential.

WORD PROCESSING

Typing reports, papers, dissertations, letters, and other documents for students, writers, and

businesses is a common way to make money with a computer. Indeed, word processing is just a

high-tech version of the old-fashioned typing service.

The difference is that word processing allows you to turn better-looking documents in less time than

a typewriter. Further good word processing programs let you include headlines, footnotes, and

special symbols in documents with little hassle. This flexibility increases the value of your service to

potential clients.

College campuses are always good places to get customers for a word processing business. If you

live near one, prepare attractive flyer's to post on bulletin boards around campus. It may also pay to

take out a small ad in the campus paper. Stress fast service, since students are notorious for waiting

until the last minute to finish assigned papers.

If there is not a college nearby, try advertising in the classified section of the newspaper and mailing

flyer's to businesses. Small companies may be particularly good customers for word processing

service because they may not have secretaries on staff. Larger companies may use you for overflow

work or for long projects in which the finished copy must be perfect.

Rates vary depending on where you live; check with other typists to see what they charge. It should

be no problem in most places to get $3 per double-spaced page. Be sure to charge extra for

footnotes, headlines, or other special formats, since these take more time to type.

COMPUTER CONSULTING

Most businesses can benefit from having one or more personal computers, but very few managers

have the time to research fully the hardware and software available when making choices. If you

know computers, you can provide a valuable service as a consultant, helping clients avoid costly and

frustrating mistakes.

Consultants begin by taking the time to learn about a client's business. Thoroughly interview the

manager or owner to find out what he or she expects a computer system to do. Observe employees

to see what they do and how they might benefit from specific types of equipment or software.

When you've arrived at a recommendation, write a report and meet with your client to discuss it.

After changes have been made to suit your customers, you can assist further by recommending

low-cost sources of equipment, and setting up equipment once it is purchased.

Consultants typically charge per day. Even if this fee is over $25.00, emphasize to potential clients that

your good advice can be worth many times what it costs, since you can suggest cost saving and

efficiency-improving purchases.

COMPUTER TRAINING

Computer trainers teach people how to use specific types of equipment and software. For examples,

when a company begins using a new word processing system, its employees must be taught to use it.

A computer trainer conducts these training sessions, either one-on-one or with an entire group.

The most effective trainers are good listeners as well as talkers. Before training employees, ask them

about other software packages they've used and what they intend to do with the new package. After

all, there's no point in spending two hours telling someone how to do "mail-merge" with a word

processor if they never have need for that feature.

Begin by specializing in only a few popular software packages that you know well. Prepare a mailer

listing your areas of expertise.

END OF ARTICLE PC INTO PROFIT CENTER

This information was proved my Jerry McDowell. A.K.A...mcsoftware.

HOW TO REORGANIZE YOUR TIME TO
ACCOMMODATE A HOME-BASED BUSINESS

Almost everyone needs or wants more money coming in, and with
this desire most would like to start some sort of extra income
producing project. The trouble is, not many of these people seem
able to fit "a second job" into their time schedules.

It's true that most people are busy, but extra time for some sort
of home-based extra income producing project can almost always be
found. It may mean giving up or changing a few of your favorite
pastimes--such as having a couple of beers with the guys or
watching TV--but if you score big with your extra income project,
you will have all the time you want for doing whatever you what
to do.

Efficient time management boils down to planning what you're
going to do, and then doing it without backtracking. Start by
making a list of the things you want to do tomorrow, each evening
before you go to bed. Schedule your trips to the store or
wherever to coincide with the other things you have to do, and
with your trips to or from work. Organize your trips to take care
of as many things as possible  while you're out of the house.
take stock of the time you spend on the telephone---and eliminate
all that isn't necessary.

Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time
to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them. For
instances, just one hour a day devoted to yard work would
probably make your property the envy of all your neighbors. Don't
try to do a week's work in one big flurry. Whether it's painting
your house, fixing leaky faucets, or mowing your lawn and
trimming your shrubs, do a part of it, or one particular job each
day, and you'll be amazed at your progress.

Take care of all your mail the day, you receive it. Don't let
those bills and letters pile up on you. If you're unable to pay a
bill immediately, file it in a special place that's visible, and
note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it. Answer your
letters the same day you get them.

Once you start listing and planning what to do, and then carry
out your plans, you'll find plenty of "extra time" for handling
virtually any kind of home-based income producing project. People
in general may not like routines or schedules, but without some
sort of plan as to what is supposed to be done, the world would
be mired in mass confusion. Laws, ordinances and regulations are
for the purpose of guiding people. We live according to an
accepted plan or way of life, and the better we can organize
ourselves, the more productive and happy we become.

The secret of all financially successful people is simply that
they are organized and do not waste time. Think about it. Review
your own activities, and then see if you can't find a couple of
extra hours in each day for more constructive accomplishments.

When you begin planning, and then when you really become involved
in an extra income producing endeavor, you should work it exactly
as you have organized your regular day-to-day activities---on a
time basis. Do what has to be done immediately. Don't try to get
done in a hour something that's realistically going to take a
week. Plan out on paper what you have to do--what you want to
do--and when you are going to do it. Then get right on each
project without procrastination.

This information was provided by Jerry McDowell :)
 CMU7.com