SCD IST 110H

During my travels through the Internets, I found eMoms, a very popular blog site for moms and dads interested in running a home business. In a recent blog post, the top 10 Internet home business ideas you can start and run in your underwear. Here is the top ten:

1. Affiliate Marketing
What is it? :: Promote other company’s products and services on your website. When a sale is made, you get a commission.
Most important skills needed :: PPC (Pay Per Click marketing), sales copywriting, web marketing
Best learning resources :: ReveNews, ABestWeb Forum, ShoeMoney, Rosalind Gardner, Affiliate Classroom

2. Blogging
What is it? :: A chronologically based website filled with articles, reviews, or journal-style writing. You can sell advertising or incorporate affiliate marketing on a blog to earn money.
Most important skills needed :: Copywriting, social networking, affiliate marketing, web marketing
Best learning resources :: ProBlogger, JohnChow, DoshDosh, eMoms at Home

3. eBay & Auction Selling
What is it? :: Selling or reselling products via an online marketplace like Ebay, Amazon Auctions, or Craigslist. You can sell used goods, buy goods wholesale, or use a drop-shipping service.
Most important skills needed :: Merchandising, sales copywriting, customer service
Best learning resources :: Our very own eBay Selling for eParents, Ebay Learning Center, SaleHoo Training Center, JennyHow

4. E-Commerce
What is it? :: Selling products or a technology-based service on your own website.
Most important skills needed :: All of the above, below and then some!
Best learning resources :: Entrepreneur.com’s Online Business Startup Guide

5. Arts & Crafts
What is it? :: Creating and manufacturing your own product lines and selling them online.
Most important skills needed :: Creativity, sales, e-commerce
Best learning resources :: eMoms’ CraftBoom, About.com Craft Business 101 Series, Barbara Brabec

6. Internet Research Business
What is it? :: Doing internet research for corporations, law firms and other small businesses.
Most important skills needed :: Librarian-style research skills, customer service
Best learning resources :: Entrepreneur.com’s Information Consultant Startup Guide

7. Freelance Services
What is it? :: Providing professional services such as copywriting, design, photography, illustration, and programming usually billed on an hourly rate.
Most important skills needed :: Sales, customer service, trade-specific knowledge
Best learning resources :: Our Freelance Parent channel, FreelanceSwitch, AllFreelance.com

8. Recruiting
What is it? :: Recruiting candidates for companies who pay a fee when a hire is made.
Most important skills needed :: Sales, relationship building, networking
Best learning resources :: RecruitersNetwork, HireAbility

9. Consulting
What is it? :: Providing your specialized industry knowledge to corporations, entrepreneurs, investors or other businesses.
Most important skills needed :: Trade-specific knowledge, sales, customer service
Best learning resources :: Entrepreneur.com’s Consulting Business Startup Guide

10. VA (Virtual Assistant)
What is it? :: Providing administrative and business support to other business owners and small businesses.
Most important skills needed :: Customer service, organization
Best learning resources :: VirtualAssistantStartups, Entrepreneur.com’s Business Support Startup Guide, VirtualPABusiness

Here is a video detailing how eMoms came to be: