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Other Methods to Earn Some Extra Income March 20, 2009

Posted by James in Business sector, Extra income, Freelance, Monetizing blogs, Professional Practice.
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Everyday I look at the news I see the effect of the economic recession in the world and locally. People are losing their jobs by the thousands. Companies are doing drastic measures to cut down their operation cost and a lot of people are being laid off in the process. The growing number of unemployment around the world has alarmed me a lot. I could not help but wonder what my chances are of becoming another one of those who lost their job due to the recession.

Although the company I’m working for has a steady stream of projects coming in, I always believe that it is better to be prepared for the worst. If ever I were to encounter this scenario I’ve already planned a lot of things to be productive while searching for another source of income. Here are the following things I’ve planned so far:

  • Concentrate on marketing my Profession as an Architect. Although I have a couple of projects coming in right now. Its still too early too rely on my profession as the main source of my income. I’ve just recently started in practicing my profession and I’m optimistic that someday this would become on of my main source of income.
  • Do some freelance work as a 3D artist. Although I enjoy exploring new things in the 3D I never entertained the thought of venturing into other aspects on 3d asides from 3d architecture. I think its about time I go out of my comfort zone and start exploring on other potential services in 3d. One good site for freelancers is Odesk.
  • Monetize and market my blogs. I started blogging as a means to communicate my thoughts and relieve my self of the pressure of my work and problems. This has been a hobby of mine for the past few months and I always take pleasure in writing the things that have always caught my attention. Most of the things I write and read on the net are useful to me and would be probably useful to other people.
  • Start a small business. Their are a lot of franchise business available with minimal starting capitals. Although venturing into this type of business will really eat up your time in the start. The rewards later on will also be great.
  • Research on online businesses, I’ve always believe that the internet is a gold mine just waiting to be explored. The only dilemma live any other gold mine is locating the right spot to mine. Sorting through all the opportunities and scams on the net has already become a hobby of mine. The only major investment you’ll make in this is time.

Although I have already began doing some of the things I’ve mentioned above. I still haven’t got enough time to really harness the full potential of these other sources of income.

10 Sectors Poised for Growth March 17, 2009

Posted by James in Business sector, growth.
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As the overall economy loafs in the doldrums, a few sectors are actually growing–some at impressive paces. Here are 10, ranging from nationwide to niche, that offer more opportunity than most.

  • Services: This sector, which makes up more than half the total U.S. economy, is on the rise, as indicated by the increase in the ISM Nonmanufacturing Index from November’s all-time low of 37.6 percent to December’s 40.3 percent.
  • Discount stores: Low prices are leading to higher sales for the nation’s discounters. Shares in the likes of Family Dollar and Wal-Mart have risen about as fast as the rest of the stock market has fallen over the past year, reflecting increased earnings and better-than-average prospects.
  • Fast food: Quick-service restaurants such as McDonald’s–where monthly sales rose nearly 8 percent in November–are looking better and better to cash-strapped consumers choosing them over pricier casual eateries.
  • Secondhand goods: Pre-owned is fine to consumers looking for a deal, as shown by a 19 percent earnings increase for Winmark Corp. in last year’s otherwise dreary third quarter for retailers.
  • Medical office buildings: A growing market in real estate? You bet, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers, which sees an aging population’s health-care needs fueling demand for medical office buildings, especially out West.
  • Netbooks: Ten million of these tiny notebook computers, priced between $300 and $500, were sold last year, up from hundreds of thousands in 2007. New models that boot faster and run longer on batteries could boost sales further.

  • 1,500 U.S. theater screens are equipped to show 3-D movies–a burgeoning market.

    Education and health services: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that employment in these sectors will grow more than any other, adding nearly 5.5 million jobs from 2006 to 2016.

  • Social networking: Just four months after enrolling its 100 millionth user, Facebook reached 150 million users in January. At that rate, it could top 200 million as you read this.
  • 3-D: Once derided as a goofy gimmick, 3-D pictures are technologically much improved, and content is expanding rapidly. This year’s BCS Championship football game was broadcast in 3-D–a first.
  • Savings: U.S. personal savings as a percent of disposable income rose from 0 percent in early 2008 to 2.8 percent by year-end. Sales of related goods, from home safes to piggy banks, are also up.

Source: http://www.entrepreneur.com/