| Well, here we find ourselves in the midst of one | | | | expertise. |
| of the worst recessions in the history of the | | | | Let's say you are a copywriter but you either |
| United States of America. Banks don't seem to | | | | don't have the time or the skill to create a |
| be in the business of lending money anymore. | | | | newsletter for your subscriber list on a weekly |
| Lending has been frozen for business owners who | | | | basis. Check within your group for a virtual |
| have had long standing lines of credit, individuals | | | | assistant who lists newsletter management as |
| seeking mortgages and car loans. | | | | one of his/her services. Contact the virtual |
| So what's a home-based business owner to do if | | | | assistant and explain that you are looking to |
| they want to start or expand their business? | | | | barter their virtual assistant services for your |
| There's plenty you can do without the assistance | | | | copywriting services. |
| of a lending institution. | | | | The thing to remember is that everyone is an |
| Start or work the business on a part-time basis. | | | | expert at something (yes, even you) and it's time |
| If you are still employed by someone else, hold | | | | to use your expertise to get what you need. |
| on to your job as long as you can and determine | | | | Research federal grant and vendor opportunities |
| how much money and time each week that you | | | | to see if the service or product you offer is |
| can devote to your business. Here are some | | | | something the federal government will buy or, if |
| ideas for assistance in working the business if you | | | | your product is service is something that can |
| are employed full-time: | | | | enhance your community. |
| - Hire a freelancer or part-time person to answer | | | | Many people don't realize that the service or |
| phone calls and emails or for any other task. | | | | product you offer just could be what the |
| - Solicit college students who are majoring in | | | | government would award you a grant for. For |
| marketing to help you with marketing and public | | | | example, based on the current economic situation, |
| relations. To build your website, contact career | | | | many people are being laid off and if these |
| colleges or schools and seek out students who | | | | individuals have been in a certain industry that |
| are majoring in web design. The students may | | | | didn't require technical skills, to get back to work, |
| tackle your project for free as an internship or | | | | these people are going to need computer training, |
| project. | | | | assistance with how to complete job applications, |
| If you have been self-employed full time and your | | | | interview tips - the list is endless. So, as an |
| finances are drying up, there are several avenues | | | | example, if your company offers computer |
| to pursue: | | | | training to individuals, you would research federal |
| - Apply for full-time jobs and if you are fortunate | | | | government grants to see if a grant opportunity |
| to get a full-time job, make sure you stay | | | | exists for displaced workers. The next step would |
| focused on why you went back to work - to help | | | | be to form a nonprofit corporation and then begin |
| finance your business. Word of caution: make sure | | | | to apply for grants. |
| when you are at work, you are doing your | | | | There are three things you must remember |
| employer's work and not your own. A dear friend | | | | about federal government grants: |
| of mine recently got fired for using the company | | | | - You must carefully complete the grant |
| email to advertise her business. Use the | | | | application and give them everything they ask for |
| aforementioned ideas regarding freelancers, | | | | in the grant application. |
| part-timers and college students to keep your | | | | - Federal grants are usually issued on the state |
| business going. | | | | level. In other words, you may have to apply |
| - Apply for part-time jobs and let your clients and | | | | through a state or local agency to get the federal |
| customers know that the hours of your business | | | | grant. |
| have changed. With the economy being the way | | | | - You should never fall in the trap of buying into |
| it is, not many people will question a reduction in | | | | any federal grant funding scheme or scam. Do |
| your hours and as long as your customer service | | | | the research yourself and apply for the grant |
| is great, a reduction in hours will not reflect poorly | | | | through either the federal government's website |
| on your business. | | | | or the agency's website. |
| Considering bartering with other entrepreneurs or | | | | If you have done your market research, done all |
| solopreneurs. If you are a member of a social | | | | your homework and know you have a great |
| networking group, perform a search within the | | | | viable business idea, you can also use your 401K |
| group for people who offer the service you need | | | | as a means of starting your business. |
| and are willing to barter in exchange for your | | | | |