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Proficiency in writing takes practice, but you know that already. Practice makes perfect, as the saying goes, but it is also true that practice may also reinforce bad habits that you might have started with.For your consideration for upping general writing abilities quickly, I suggest these emergency measures (a cheatsheet, if you will) from my 30+ years of editorial work:Action Stations!Get to the point up front and early: nobody likes to read!Set your most important point right at the start to "stage" the reader. Don't force us to read the whole thing to get to your "conclusion" at the end. This piece of advice overrides all other considerations (or should).- 20 to 25 words per sentence.- 2 to 4 sentences per paragraph.- Write/draft with nouns and verbs first.- Remove as many "that" as possible unless it alters the meaning.- Remove most adjectives: re-insert any to retain your original meaning for the sentence.- Go easy on adverbs (they make your writing "weak").- Short words for 80% of the time, longer ones for the remaining 20%.- Lean more on one- and two-syllable words, and go easy on polysyllabic words even in writing (makes the writing "feel" turgid).- Stick to "English" words whenever possible.- For factual stuff, go easy on idioms: stick to literal language.- "Show, not tell" is only a guideline, not a rule, but a good one.- "Show" the mental imagery for your readers instead of "telling" it; definitely not in "explaining" it.- Don't be hypercorrect with grammar.- Know your grammatical 'zombie rules" and break them occasionally (e.g. split infinitives, ain't, etc)- Write for the times: be contemporary in tone without hip, fashionable or modish, or the other extreme: hidebound like a period piece.And...- One character space between sentences if on proportional typeface.- Two character spaces if on fixed-pitched typeface.Mop-up OperationsLearn to proofread stuff yourself. This isn't a flippant advice. Sometimes you have no choice and you are your own fallback to do the work. Yes, you have to learn to unlatch your mental self from your writing in order to proofread well. Many will tell that an author-proofreader is mentally too close to the work to do an effective job -- true enough.- Always write the wretched thing out to "completeness" first.- Come up with a checklist so that your proofreading has some degree of discipline.- Go through each item in turn: you will have to do several proofing rounds.Some basic proofreading items in the checklist:Check consistency of definitions -- your own stylebook will help.Check spellings and spelling consistency (without reading the contents).Check numbers agreement.Check consistency of tenses.Check punctuation consistency.Check artwork to text agreement.Check linespacings and for "widows and orphans."Check pagination.Check accuracy of your Content Page.Check your Title (!).

Construction safety inspections are the most effective means of catching and countering bad habits and hazards.(Next to inspections, the two most important components of a good safety program are planning and training.)Here is a detailed guide on construction safety inspections.Overall, construction companies—large and small—are reporting positive financial impacts from safety programs. And the size of those benefits increases as the depth of the program increases. In an industry that operates on low margins, this is a powerful finding.Let’s take a look at the benefits of safety1) Worker safety and retentionFirst of all, you want your workers to be safe. You want them going home in the same condition they came to work in.Companies that fail to provide safe work environments are unable to retain their workforce, at least in the long term.On the contrary, when companies comply with regulations, provide all necessary PPE, eliminate jobsite hazards and risks, and listen to their workers when concerns are raised, they enjoy the benefits of safe worksites—which translates into both a high retention rate of current workers and an increased flow of new ones.In times of construction worker shortage, this alone can give you a big competitive advantage. But there’s more.2) ReputationA well-performing safety program will give you a big advantage in the marketplace. Developers are becoming more interested in safety programs as well. They recognize that a safety-conscious general contractor reduces their potential liability for lawsuits and bad publicity. A safety program is a legitimate marketing advantage that allows you to separate your firm from your competition.3) OperationsA safety program is a benefit from an operational standpoint as well, as it will prevent you from suffering incidents and project disruptions that create delays and waste time. Obviously, this leads to improved performance and more on-time project deliveries.Also, workers will come to your job sites trusting that they operate within a safe work environment, which improves both morale and productivity.Let’s also not forget that injuries lead to higher insurance premiums and potential fines.4) RegulationsIf OSHA or another outside person/agency inspects the work site, you will have clear documentation about the inspections that have been performed. For example, if a crane on your jobsite malfunctions but you have documentation showing it was recently inspected, you can demonstrate you followed proper safety procedures.=> Let’s sum up the benefits of construction safety once more:Your workers will be safeIt will be easier for you to find and retain workersIt will give you a reputation advantage and help you win dealsIt will reduce delays (due to incidents) and insurance premiums while increasing worker morale and productivityIt will help you comply with regulations (and avoid fines)Applying the best practices listed in this article will increase the success of your safety program and your safety inspections. So keep on reading.In this guide you’ll learn the following:What are construction safety inspections?Construction safety inspections: How often and by whom?Best practices for safety inspection site visitsSafety inspections and checklistsWhat goes into a safety inspection report?Best practices for safety inspection reportsHow to draft safety inspection reports without spending an hour at the end of the dayHow to select the right safety inspection appBest practices for getting the most out of your safety inspectionsConstruction safety inspections: How often and by whom?How often should you we do safety inspections?As in all things, it depends—but here’s a useful guideline:Informal inspections should be done by all supervisors whenever they are out on site. Such inspections identify hazardous conditions and either correct them immediately or report them for corrective action. The frequency of these inspections varies with the frequency and conditions of equipment use.Formal documented inspections are ideally done weekly by supervisors and monthly by health and safety representatives.It’s also a good idea to get project managers or even company leadership involved with inspections to emphasize their importance.Best practices for safety inspection site visitsHere are a couple of useful tips for executing safety inspection site visits:Draw attention to the presence of any immediate danger. Other items can await the final report.Shut down any hazardous items that cannot be brought to a safe operating standard until repaired.Do not operate equipment. Ask the operator for a demonstration. If the operator of any piece of equipment does not know what dangers may be present, this is cause for concern. Never ignore any item because you do not have knowledge to make an accurate judgment of safety.Look up, down, around and inside. Be methodical and thorough. Do not spoil the inspection with a “once-over-lightly” approach.Make “on-the-spot” recordings of all findings before they are forgotten.Ask questions, but do not unnecessarily disrupt work activities.Consider operational factors, such as how the work is organized or the pace of the work, and how these factors impact safety.Discuss as a group whether any problem, hazard or accident might generate from a given work situation. Determine what corrections or controls are appropriate.Take a lot of photos.Safety inspections and checklistsThe goal of safety inspections is to identify hazards—and the best way to do that is with a checklist. With everything written down, it’s easy to make sure you’ve covered all your bases, reducing the chance of missing a potential hazard.For his must-read book The Checklist Manifesto, Atul Awnada interviewed experts from many disciplines (pilots, doctors, contractors).His conclusion? People need checklists to execute projects efficiently. Checklists reduce the risk of mistakes and increase the likelihood everything will get done as specified.When it comes to safety inspections, a checklist is a powerful way to ensure you don’t overlook important details. They free up your mental RAM.The checklist should be comprehensive, covering the following topics at a minimum:Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Has the correct gear been distributed to all workers? Is each piece of equipment in good repair?Tools and equipment: Are they in proper working order? Are people using the right tool for the job?Fall protection methods: Is fall protection in use? Is it properly set up?Protective devices and signs: Are welders surrounded by a curtain to protect others? Are signs easy to read and warnings clear?Electrical concerns: Are electrical cords safe, and kept off the floor? Is there proper lighting? Is temporary electricity safely installed?Scaffolding: Are all connections secure? Is scaffolding tied to the structure? Are all connections secure?Now, let’s move on to the safety inspection reports that result from the inspections.What goes into a safety inspection report?Obviously, not all safety inspection reports will look the same. Depending on your business and the type of projects you perform, you’ll need to include different items.Here are the most common elements of a safety inspection report:Project information: add the project name, project number, address, name of the person who created the report, etc.Report date: If you want to record what happened or what didn’t happen on particular day or week, you need to put the date on your report.Safety hazards and incidents:Copy all unfinished items from the previous report on the new report.Document all safety risks and observations with enough photos to illustrate the issue. Add recommended methods of control.in -&nbspThis website is for sale! -&nbspControl Resources and Information. the case of accidents or incidents, record who they impacted, who was involved, when and where they occurred, the impact on work, and any photos of the event.Number each item consecutively.Classify hazards. A hazard rating establishes priorities for corrective action and also highlights the level of severity or seriousness of the hazards.Add a due date to the items.Assign the items so responsibilities are clear. This will facilitate accountability and prevent problems from slipping through the cracks. It’s not enough for workers to note they found problems; those problems also need to be resolved quickly.Make sure the location of the item is clear, e.g. by adding annotations to a floor planSignatures: Optionally, you can ask people present to sign off the report.Best practices for safety inspection reportsYour inspections and reports are the basis for corrective actions and follow-up, which will prevent incidents from happening in the first place. So it’s worthwhile to make your safety reports are effective by following these best practices:Provide sufficient detail: State exactly what has been detected and accurately identify its location, together with pictures.Document items and file reports as early as possible: Memories can fade quickly. The shorter the time frame between events and notation, the more accurate the reports will be. Using an app, you can document observations immediately. Copies of inspection reports should also be sent to managementReadability: Keep it simple, use common language, and include enough pictures. Don’t use specialist terms, but don’t be too prosaic, either. Just stick to a concise and clear description of the facts so anyone can read and understand the reports. Also remember that often people don’t read long texts, but they will look at pictures. As the old adage goes, a picture says more than a 1000 words, so make sure to include enough pictures.Layout and branding: Clean, structured, professional reports that include the company’s logo, header, footer, and other branding will radiate a professional attitude regarding safety towards all parties involved (client, workers, subcontractors, etc). If you demonstrate that you are being serious about safety, others will be more inclined to be serious as well.Include positive elements, too: When certain safety risks are managed well, or when a hazard that had been registered during a previous inspection has been addressed, don’t forget to compliment the workers on site and to mention this on your inspection report as well. People will be more receptive to your advice — and like you better, too. Safety officers that only include problems and non-conformities in the report rarely achieve good results. Including compliments and positive items are great for worker motivation. With positive reinforcement, you add a reward for workers exhibiting desired behavior. Rewarding good conduct, rather than punishing negative actions, is a proven method to help promote positive behavior in both children and adults. By doing so you reinforce the desired action, which has a much stronger effect than punishment.Here is a preview of a safety report generated with ArchiSnapper:How to draft safety inspection reports without spending an hour at the end of the dayIf you’re still reading, you probably have no doubt that safety management and safety inspections are fundamental. Nevertheless, there has to be a better way to draft your safety report than having to spend at least an hour to manually put it together: writing out the text, inserting photos, managing the layout of the report, etc.It’s no secret that construction safety reports are a big struggle for safety officers and supervisors.With today’s technology, safety inspection reports do not require that much effort. With tools like ArchiSnapper, you can easily fill in a checklist, take photos and write text (or use voice to text), and the inspection reports will immediately be made available for everyone. Your logo, header, footer and other branding and layout settings will be applied automatically.With such an app you can use your tablet or phone on site. Just open the app, tap “new report,” and provide the required data:Fill in the project statusReview a checklistWrite texts or use the voice-to-text functionalityTake photos and annotate themHave the report signed off (if needed)Find the report archived to your cloud automatically, together with the signed versions and distribution historyThis way, you won’t have to spend an hour or so typing out scribbled notes, transferring pictures from your phone to your PC and then importing them into the report, or struggling with the layout in Word.Curious to see how this works with ArchiSnapper? Check out this video.How to select the right safety inspection appWhen you’re selecting a safety inspection app, make sure to take into account the following:SimplicityLess is more. At first, it might be tempting to choose an app with a lot of features, fields, forms, and configurations.But keep in mind that 90% of the time, you’ll only need 10% of your app’s core functionalities. What you need is a quick and easy way to review your safety checklist from your phone or tablet, with the ability to include photos and notes.Fewer buttons and functionalities means less risk for bugs, issues, and misunderstandings—and more adoption by your team, more standardization, and less frustration.Offline functionalitySooner or later, you’ll be without a reliable internet connection. (Think: broken wifi, no 4G network, unpaid telecommunications invoices…)So make sure your app works offline—and that you can at least capture notes and photos without a connection.Cloud storageYou don’t want to lose all your daily reports if your phone gets stolen or breaks. So your software should have a web backend where your data is synced, and which allows multiple colleagues to access all the inspection reports for viewing, editing, or distribution.CompatibilityThough it probably goes without saying, your app should work on both your mobile device and computer.I hear from a lot of safety professionals who prefer to use their phone on-site (to take photos and add quick notes) and then finish the report online from their desktop.Just a suggestion: I’d avoid buying a Windows device, since the software giant is no longer developing new features or hardware for Windows 10 mobile.Ample featuresThough your app should be simple, it should also include these essential capabilities and functions:Checklist functionalityThe ability to capture notes by typing on your phone/tablet/desktop OR using voice-to-textThe ability to capture photos with annotationsThe ability to draw and sketch on photosThe ability to generate safety reports in PDF format with brandingSignature capture functionalityThe ability to email the PDF construction reports to all parties involvedAutomatic data archiving and backupsThe ability to export/import data from other systemsAuto-numbering of items and reportsBest practices for getting the most out of your safety inspectionsDoing safety inspection visits and generating safety reports takes a lot of time and energy. So don’t forget to apply the following practices in order to get the best results from this process.Planning aheadPrior to doing inspections you need to make sure to have a checklist, an inspection schedule, that inspection members are trained, etc.You also must develop a plan for using your data, not just collecting it. How will the findings be communicated and shared? Will they be corrected in a timely manner and tracked to completion? As trends develop, how will action plans be developed and implemented to prevent reoccurrence?For most construction companies, each jobsite has its own unique risks. Devote time before construction starts to identify those risks and establish a plan to address them. Communicate this safety analysis regularly to workers so they know what hazards to expect and how to work around them.Follow upObservations are the beginning, not the end, of the inspection process.Any health and safety deficiencies identified during the inspection should be noted and corrective action should be taken. Follow up to see that the corrective action has been taken and that the hazard has been effectively dealt with. That’s why it makes sense to always start from your previous inspection report and keep unfinished items in the report—and mark solved items as “OK.” (Positive reinforcement, remember!)Where inspections are being done by the company’s health and safety coordinator or the site health and safety representative, the site supervisor should accompany them so that any corrective action needed can be implemented as soon as possible.AnalyzeMost companies stop once the inspection is completed and the initial hazards are discovered, shared, and fixed (i.e., once the moles are whacked). This is a major error that will prevent meaningful improvements in the safety process.If you are not conducting trend analysis on the observations you collect, these incidents could be happening quite often. Ideally, you should be looking at trends and leading metrics on a number of fronts, for instance:What are the top hazards identified by hazard category?Who are the most at-risk contractors?What are the most at-risk projects?What recurring trends are developing?By tracking and trending this information, you can turn collected data into actionable information.Don’t shoot the messengerIt is essential that the observation reporting, especially significant hazards, be non-punitive and protected. In other words, don’t shoot the messenger! This often occurs from a misperception that finding unsafe observations is a reflection of how well one does the job, which will then reflect poorly on the observer or project team. It also can occur if a senior manager reacts poorly to the discoveries, such as reprimanding the observer or failing to act on the data collected.Management involvementKey to the success of any safety program is strong commitment, support, and backing from management. Frontline supervisors and safety officers do the majority of planned general inspections, but middle and upper management must also conduct safety tours.Whatever the project manager and leadership focuses on will be viewed by the team as important. The old saying, “Actions speak louder than words,” is true. Project managers who place a premium on integrating safety into their projects will ensure better overall project performance. They set the tone, agree to and enforce standards, and establish the concept that focusing on safety is the only way to do business.Furthermore, workers and their representatives should also be involved in all aspects of your safety program—including setting goals, identifying and reporting hazards, investigating incidents, and tracking progress.Workers should be encouraged and have the means to communicate openly with management, to report safety and health concerns without fear of retaliation.

There are thousands of way to make money form home. I have a personal blog Online Earning King. Here i share many earning related tricks. & all are make money online related stuffs. Btw, today i share the 10 Best Ways to Make Money from Home.1. Freelance Writing: Sell Your WordsI may as well start with something I know well. When I started out as a freelance writer 20 years ago, things were very different. I wrote mostly for magazines, and I had to rely on snail mail to send out drafts and queries. I’d wait weeks for a response from my editors. Not many people had the patience for it, and few stuck around long enough to ever start earning a real income from it.But the Internet has changed everything. Today, you can decide to become a freelance writer and, if you’re fortunate, get an assignment that very same day. Obviously, the better your skills and training are, the better your projects and freelance writing rates will be.Today’s freelance writers can choose from a variety of markets. You can write for magazines, either online or in print. You can blog by setting up your own site, or by writing for someone else’s. The market for new articles on the Internet is vast, and there’s plenty of work to go around.Additionally, book publishers are always looking for the next big book. People need sales letters, white papers, website copy, and e-books. In other words, there’s an ocean of work to do, and if you’re an ambitious writer, you can dive in and profit.If you want to work from home as a freelance writer, consider this checklist before you get started:Samples. You’ll need some samples before you can really begin marketing yourself. Figure out which market you want to approach first, and then find or create some related samples. For instance, if you want to try your hand at blogging, study some successful blogs, and then write a few posts of your own to use as samples. Do this for any and every market you’d want to write for.Tools. You don’t need much to work as a home-based freelance writer, but there are some tools that you must have. The most important will be your computer. Get the fastest Internet access that you can afford. It doesn’t matter what kind of computer you get. Just make sure you’re comfortable enough to spend a lot of time with it. Most clients will request that you submit your work as a Microsoft Word document, so make sure that whatever programs you use are compatible. In addition, because you’ll be spending so much time at the computer, make sure that you have a good work area with proper lighting. Some clients will want to be able to reach you by phone or Skype, so have both set up and accessible. You’ll need an invoicing program, such as Freshbooks, and a good bookkeeping system to keep track of sales, orders, and accounts receivables.Job Boards. When you’re first starting out, you’ll have to go looking for work, and the best place to do that is on one of the online job boards. Places like Guru, Elance, Freelancer, and oDesk are today’s writers’ best friends. They allow individuals and businesses to post projects, and freelancers to bid on them. Take a look around the sites, sign up for the free access in the beginning, and then begin to place bids on the projects that interest you. It will take some trial and error to find your groove, but once you do, the jobs will start to roll in.Persistence and Commitment. You’ll need to have a good amount of persistence while pursuing freelance writing gigs. This business is subjective, and while one person may love your writing, another may not. Do your best to always produce good, solid copy and hold on to your commitment to do the best you can for your clients. Just by committing to do those two things, you’ll be miles ahead of your competition.woman freelance writer2. Classes: Sell Your KnowledgeAnother great way to earn money from your home office is to sell your skills or knowledge by teaching classes. For instance, if you’re an exercise guru, you might start an exercise class in a large spacious area in your home. People are willing to pay to learn about many fields of knowledge, from cooking and gardening to soap or candle making. Playing a musical instrument, child birthing, dancing, dog training, yoga, and even foreign languages are all great topics for expert classes.The key is to make the class sound unique and irresistible. Don’t just teach a cooking class; come up with specialty cooking classes. You might teach a class on how to make artesian breads, or cinnamon rolls that rival Cinnabon. The possibilities are endless, and if you consistently offer educational and fun classes, you’ll have people signing up over and over again.But being successful at hosting your own classes requires some serious planning and attention to detail. Here is an outline of the things you’ll have to consider:Your Idea. It’s not enough to say that you’re going to offer an exercise classes. The people considering your classes will want to know exactly what they are going to get for their money, and it will be up to you to explain it concisely and effectively. Understand that you’re basically giving a sales pitch to potential attendees. You’ll have to really narrow down your topic.Your Schedule. Decide in advance how often you want to teach your class, and what times will work for you. If you’re teaching a foreign language, you will want to offer structured classes that meet at the same time every week. But if you intend to offer cooking classes, where one lesson won’t run into another, you can be a little more flexible.Remember that you’re making a commitment that will last weeks or months, and you won’t want to end up canceling classes. Pick a schedule that you can keep.Furthermore, carefully consider your likely attendees, and what schedule would be attractive to them. For example, if you’re planning on teaching a tutoring class, you obviously couldn’t schedule it during school hours. Likewise, a class aimed at mothers of young children will either have to include babysitting services or be scheduled at night, when they’re more likely to have help with the kids. Find the delicate balance of times that fit your prospective students’ schedules as well as your own.Your Price. When establishing a price for your classes, start by calling around and finding out what other choices your clients have. If you plan to offer cooking classes, call some commercial establishments and other in-home teachers. Compare your own talent and experience to what they’re offering, and set a price accordingly. You should always come in a little lower than classes offered by commercial establishments as that will be one of your selling points: expert information for less money.Your Deals. In addition to establishing a per-class price, also offer packages to entice people to sign up for more than one class. For example, if you intend to host classes on making soap, offer the classes individually, as well as in a group. Someone could take a class learning how to use fresh flowers in homemade soap, or they could buy a bundle that teaches them how to use those, fresh herbs, and plastic toys for kid’s soap. However you decide to price your classes, remember that the buyer will want to feel like they’re getting a lot for their money. If you can provide that in a fun atmosphere, they’ll likely be back time and time again – and they’ll bring friends.Your Ads. The key to success will be in your ability to get the word out about your classes. Word of mouth will play an important role in your marketing efforts because taking classes is something that friends like to do together. Don’t just rely on friends and family, though. Post fliers in supermarkets, churches, and school bulletin boards. You’ll definitely want to have an online presence so people who are searching your area for such classes will be able to find you. You can establish one by creating a website, and then using digital media to spread your message. And don’t forget your neighborhood as a source of business. Take some time to visit your neighbors, even if you just visit one block a day, and tell them about your new business.3. Bed and Breakfast: Sell Space in Your HomeIf you have a spare bedroom and bathroom, and a high tolerance for other people being in your home, you may be able to make money from home by hosting people in your home. Overnight travelers are always looking for a comfortable bed and breakfast, especially since frequent travelers are often weary of hotels and motels.Your home is certainly more attractive than the mainstream sterile environments and run of the mill decor. Savvy homeowners have been taking advantage of their spare space, and they’re making money by offering travelers a one of a kind experience in a warm, friendly environment.The best part is that people who use bed and breakfasts are more likely to pay more for the experience. The challenge is that there’s a lot of competition in this field, so if you think earning money this way is right for you, you’ll have to set up your home in a way that makes for a memorable experience for guests. Here’s a checklist to get you started:Location. The most successful bed and breakfasts are those that are convenient to airports, historic parts of town, or other tourist attractions. That’s because there are two types of guests who tend to frequent B&B’s: business travelers who are tired of sterile hotel rooms, and families looking for a unique experience. That’s not to say that you can’t develop a successful B&B if your home isn’t located in the perfect spot, but you might have to work harder to make it a success if it isn’t.Comfort. Perhaps the biggest thing that you’ll need to do in order to create a successful B&B is to make sure that your guests are as comfortable as they can be. Remember, they’re paying more for the experience of being comfortable away from home. As a trial, spend a night in the room in your house that you intend to rent and view things from a guest’s point of view. Is the temperature comfortable? Is the bath in the room, or at least a comfortable distance away while still being private? Is the bed soft and inviting? The pillows? Is the bedroom interior design, including colors, soothing? Can you hear household noises, or do you feel that you’re in a world of your own? All of these are important questions to ask yourself, but the answers will determine whether or not your guests recommend your place, or come back for another stay. Think about all the minor inconveniences and discomforts that you’ve just gotten used to over the years, and remember that a paying guest might not tolerate those problems for a night. You may need to spend a little money to fix these issues.Food. The second word in “Bed and Breakfast” is just as important as the first. Some B&Bs have tried to serve their guests muffins, juice, and coffee in the mornings, but the most successful hosts understand that the breakfast they serve will make a lasting impression on their guests. You can get creative and serve the type of breakfast traditional for the area that you’re in. For instance, if your home is located in the South, then eggs, grits, and biscuits may go over well, while Southwest guests may appreciate a traditional Tex-Mex meal. Whatever you decide, make it memorable and make sure that your guests feel welcome and appreciated. Make it memorable, and they’ll spread the word for you.Service. Another key aspect of successful B&Bs is the level of service that the hosts provide. You’re not just offering room and board, but an experience. If they need help planning a day seeing the sites, offer to sit down with them and help them plan their itinerary. If a businessperson needs copies for a presentation, offer to go and make them. Remember, your job as host will be to make your guests’ stays as comfortable and pleasurable as possible. If you succeed, they’ll remember you the next time they travel through your town.Advertising. You won’t have any quests until you get the word around about your room. Start locally by putting a sign in your front yard and spreading the word through friends and family. Next, build a small website and make sure that you attract the search engine spiders by using the keywords people would likely search for when looking for a place to stay in your area. In addition, there are sites that specialize in promoting specific areas and their attractions, such as http://BedandBreakfast.com and Airbnb – your Bed and Breakfast should be listed there.4. Farmers’ Market: Sell Your Produce and Gourmet FoodsEvery Saturday I visit the local farmers’ market, and every time I’m amazed at how wonderful their fruits and vegetables look compared to the choices in the grocery store.While I’m a gardener too, I’ve never quite been able to grow such fantastic looking produce. If you’re blessed with a greener thumb than mine and you’re growing mass quantities of fruits, vegetables, or herbs, you just may be able to use those skills to earn some extra income.Farmers’ markets are rapidly becoming the go-to places for people who want to eat fresh, wholesome foods. Local and organic both sounds great to buyers, and you’re not just limited to selling fruits and vegetables. Just yesterday I bought fresh homemade goat cheese and a roasted tomato pesto that almost brought me to tears.You’d do most of your work in a home garden, but you’ll have to spend your weekends away from home. If you love the idea of selling your home-grown produce, but can’t swing being out of the house on weekends, consider selling to friends, family, and neighbors instead. Almost everyone prefers the taste of a fresh picked tomato to a store bought one.While this is a great way to earn extra money doing what you love, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind before you get started:Selection. Lots of people will be selling produce, so if you want to be a success, you’ll have to make yours stand out. You might try selling some rare vegetables or hard-to-find herbs, or you might decide to include a special recipe with every variety.License. As long as you’re only selling fresh produce, you don’t need a special license. But if you plan to sell gourmet foods, you’ll have to call your local health department and find out the regulations in your area.Rules. All markets have different rules that every vendor must follow. You’ll have to file an application with the market for permission to sell your product. Contact the market manager and ask how you can get started.Display. Just as in any retail operation, the way you display your wares will greatly impact your sales. Produce should be placed underneath a cover to protect it from the sun, but be sure to allow at least seven feet of head room. Display your prices prominently, and clearly identify the things that make your product special. Personalize your stand with signs to inform your customers.Tools. Don’t forget that you’ll need a scale if you sell by the pound, a cash box to organize your income, and bags or boxes so your customers can easily transport your products home.5. Crafts and Art: Sell Your CreativityIf you have a knack for creating beautiful things, then you were born at the right time to make some serious income from home. The growing trend for vintage and homemade products shows no signs of stopping. Plus, the Internet is chock full of well-known outlets for such wares.Etsy, for example, is one of the fastest growing sites that gives artists a chance to sell items at a fair price. The site boasts over 40 categories, from gifts to clothes to edibles, with thousands of listings. And the price is right; you can get your own site connected to Etsy for just 20 cents per listing.Selling on Etsy and similar sites, however, has become an art form itself, and finding success in these marketplaces takes a lot of work and planning. Your art is already a full-time job, but you’ll need to devote plenty of time to being a smart businessperson too. Here are some guidelines to getting started:Research. You need to know what others are selling before you decide what wares you will offer. Lots of people sell handmade items, but those who work hard to make their items unique in some way are the ones who truly stand out. After you’ve decided on a product, check out the other sellers on Etsy and find what they’re offering, and then figure out how you can do it differently.Commit. People who run successful shops on Etsy say that they do way more than create. They pass out business cards everywhere they go, they blog about their site, and spend all of their free time trying to think of new ways to promote it. In other words, to truly be a success, you have to treat it like a full-time job.Photographs. Because your customers won’t be able to touch or hold your items, you need to give them as much of a visual feel for the products as you can. You’ll do it with photographs – but not just any photos. They have to be pleasing to the eye and make the item look fantastic. You’ll have to learn the art of photography, and if you can’t get the hang of it, you’ll have to hire someone to do it for you. Yes, it’s that important.Selection. One of the keys to success on Etsy is selection, according to industry insiders. In fact, the goal of most serious shop owners is to have at least 200 items for sale. If you’re creating all of those items yourself, that’s a pretty big time commitment. But the more options you give to your customers, the higher the chances that you’ll make a sale.Mentorship. With sites like Etsy, it simply doesn’t make sense to reinvent the wheel when opening a shop. Instead, look to others who have been down the path and have learned the hard way what to do – and what not to do. Blogs like Handmadeology and Etsy Blog | Selling on Etsy | Etsy Banners | Giveaways & Creative Stuff offer hints and guidance for artists just looking to get started in this profitable home-based business.6. Call Centers: Sell Your Time and VoiceIf you have a great telephone voice, an ability to organize information quickly, and a quiet place in your home to work, you could make money working for a call center.What is it exactly? Call centers cater to businesses that don’t have someone to answer their phones 24 hours a day. The calls are routed to a call center, and then sent out to individuals who work from their homes. These workers are equipped with computers and software to be able to answer customer’s questions.The average pay for these jobs is about $9 per hour, and some companies offer health, dental, even matching 401k plans for their employees. Here are a few characteristics and supplies you should have:Diligence. In this industry, the line between scams and honest businesses is blurry, so you need to do your homework before accepting a position. Call the Better Business Bureau in your area to find out if there have been any complaints filed against the company, and do an online search on their name. Alpine Access is a well-respected company in the field, and Call Center Careers is a great place to look for legitimate call centers looking to hire.Equipment. You’ll likely have to invest in your own equipment before starting work with a call company. You will need a computer that meets the call center’s guidelines, earphones, an Internet connection, and a landline phone to do the work required. If you don’t already have the equipment, most companies won’t even consider your application.Grace. You’ll receive a lot of calls, and you must have the ability to handle them all smoothly. This means that you should have a personality that can multi-task without becoming flustered.Ambition. If you prove yourself a good employee, there are opportunities for advancement in the ranks of call center employees. You won’t even have to give up working from home to take a promotion; team leaders, managers, and account managers can all work from home.7. Sewing and Alterations: Sell Your HandiworkIf you have sewing skills, you have a wide range of options. Just think for a moment about everything service you can provide if you have those skills. You can do alterations and design, and you can make wedding clothes, custom-fit clothes, and special attire.You can make totes and bags, custom bedding, draperies, and upholstery cushions. You can go so far as to sew the special canvas cushions needed for boats and yachts, or commercial needs like booth and chair cushions.In short, if you have sewing skills, you’re in demand. But there is more to sewing from your home for money than just hanging out a shingle. Let’s take a look at some of the issues you’ll face:Equipment. The largest, and most important, piece of equipment that you’ll need is a high-quality sewing machine. They can range in price from about $2,000 up to $6,000, and you’ll want the best one that you can afford. Other pieces of equipment will vary, depending on what you want to specialize in. For instance, if you intend to make custom draperies, you’ll need a serger, and a drapery steamer.Skill. If you’re going to sew for other people, your skills need to be far above average. If you’re a beginner or an average seamstress, wait until you improve their skills before attempting to earn money in this type of business. If people are going to trust their wedding dresses or their favorite sports jacket to you, you must be able to handle them with care and the utmost skill.Zoning. Because you’ll likely have a lot of customers in and out of your home, you should check with your local authorities to determine whether or not you need to be zoned for this type of business.Advertising. You’ll need to get the word out about your sewing business, and one of the best places to start is with your friends and neighbors. Make sure they are all aware of your services and are willing to pass around your business cards. In addition, you should put up fliers in local fabric stores and get to know the employees so that if someone asks, they’ll be able to refer you. Any business needs a website, and yours will be no exception; you can put up a simple one that outlines what you do, and tells the reader what kinds of prices to expect. Finally, by joining organizations like the American Sewing Guild, you’ll be able to stay in touch with others who are doing the same thing as you.8. Used Book Sales: Sell Your Old PaperbacksI was working at an estate sale the other weekend, and a woman came in and asked if there were any books for sale. After I pointed out the collection of books to her, she began to scan them all with a portable bar code scanner. My curiosity got the best of me and so I asked her what she was doing.She explained that she buys used books from garage and estate sales, and then turns around and sells the books for cash on sites like Amazon, Ebay, Half.com - Textbooks, Books, CDs, Movies, More and AbeBooks. She uses the scanner to determine how long it usually takes for a specific book to sell and how much it sells for. She told me that she makes a full-time living doing this.So, I got the scoop on how to run a business of this type. Here’s what you need to know:Finances. You need to be good at quick math and be able to make quick decisions. You have to be careful how much you pay for a book, and then keep careful track of the expenses involved in selling it. For instance, when you sell on a website, they’ll take a commission from the sale. In addition, some sites, like eBay, will charge you a listing fee for each book. If you request that your money be deposited via PayPal, then you’ll be charged a transaction fee per book. If you’re not careful, the fees will quickly negate your profits.Storage. Depending on how big your business gets, you’ll need ample room to store the books. You can’t get lazy or disorganized about it, either. You have to keep the books in good condition, and you need to be able to find them when someone wants them. For instance, if you list a book in “like new” condition, and then the pages get smashed during storage, you’ll be in a bind if someone places an order before you realize what happened.Shipping. You will only have a few days to ship a book after it sells, and even less time if you agree to include two-day or overnight shipping as part of your options. And since you’ll want to save as much as you can on the shipping, you’ll have to devise a plan. Many people set aside specific days for shipping – say 3 days a week – and then make one big trip to the post office. As long as there isn’t anything else in the package, you can send books via media mail, which is the least expensive option. Finally, your books will need to be packaged in a way that they won’t get damaged in transit.Ratings. Whenever someone buys a book from you, they will have the opportunity to give the transaction a rating. This is when they’ll tell other potential buyers whether the book was in the condition that you described, whether it was mailed on time, and if your communications were pleasant and helpful. One bad rating can hamper sales, and a couple of them can downright stop them. Excel at customer service and your ratings will help your company grow.Current. It’s important that you stay current in this ever-changing business. You can do so by following some well-known blogs about the topic such as Sell Your Books Online.9. Consulting: Sell Your KnowledgeConsultants offer their services or advice for a fee. For instance, you may help a new non-profit organization develop a plan for fundraising, and then oversee the process. Or you may help a new company garner media attention by writing press releases and then distributing them to the proper channels.Individuals use consultants, too. Some people use consultants for tax or financial advice, while others may pay a consultant to teach them how to set up and maintain a garden.Basically, if you have proven skills in an area, you can market yourself as a consultant and provide your services from home. Breaking in isn’t always easy, though, so consider these topics:Experience. Whatever area you want to work in as a consultant, you must be able to show clients that you’re qualified to advise them. If there are organizations related to your field, make sure that you’re a member of them. Similarly, if you can take a course and become certified or registered in your field, do it and then add that to your credentials.Work Space. When acting as a consultant, the probability is high that clients will be visiting your home office. Therefore, you need to have a neat, professional home office that is welcoming to guests. Try to locate your work space in a quiet, even secluded, area of the house. A converted garage space with its own entrance works well, giving you a private space for work and adding to your credibility.Marketing. When operating as a consultant, you won’t necessarily be marketing your company; you’ll be marketing yourself. You’ll have to “package” yourself in a way that makes people trust you. For instance, if you’re marketing yourself as a financial consultant, ask yourself why someone would trust you with their life savings, and then figure out a way to convey that to potential clients. It might be in the form of a brochure, a portfolio, a sales letter, or all three.To get the word out about your services, you’ll have to talk to a lot of people. Attend functions where your typical client would hang out. That may mean the local agricultural department’s classes if you’re a gardening consultant, or Chamber of Commerce meetings if you’re a business consultant.10. Medical Transcription: Sell Your Computer SkillsIf you have great computer skills and can type quickly, you might be able to work from home doing medical transcription.Doctors who make audio notes on patients need someone to transcribe their notes to put them in patient files, but most doctors don’t want to pay a full-time transcriptionist. Instead, they farm out the work, and it’s a great job for good typists with a good working knowledge of health topics and medical jargon.That means you need to come with a lot of knowledge and follow this checklist:Training. To get a gig as a medical transcriptionist, you will have to take specific training. You will have to become proficient in medical terminology, and the best way to do that is to take additional courses in that area. The average course lasts from 9 to 18 months and costs about $3,000. Financial aid programs can help pay for your tuition.Breaking In. Many people find that once they’ve completed their training, getting their first job can be difficult because many companies require a minimum of two years experience. Many newbies start out by volunteering to get some history under their belt. It’s not impossible to land a job fresh out of school, but you’ll need diligence and persistence, and probably a little luck.Equipment. When you accept a job with a reputable company, they will provide you with all the equipment you need, except for high-speed Internet. Beware of companies that require you to supply your own equipment; that’s a sign of a possible scam.Socialize. Especially when you’re getting started, you need to establish contacts who are already immersed in the business. They can act as mentors, keep you up to date on industry changes, and even help you land your first or subsequent job. Look for the local chapter of the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) in your area and join.Final WordFor some people, work just has to be in an office, factory, store, or any other environment that’s separate from home. Even a second job would have to be in a separate place. For others, a home office is a welcome place for a secondary or even a primary job. If you’re one of those people, you have some unique opportunities, but you also have some very particular challenges of working from home.Make sure you set a smart schedule that lets you diligently focus on your work, without throwing the rest of your life out of balance. And make sure you always keep your guard up for scams and cheats. When you’re on your own, you might have a little more freedom with your schedule, but you lose the sense of protection that a company can provide.