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How to Make Money From Home as a Veteran (Or Non-Veteran)
There’s no getting around the fact that this is a hard time economically for many people. Fortunately, however, it comes at a time when opportunities abound on the internet. Whether you’re interested in starting a small business or working as an employee from your home, the web has made both of these options more accessible to veterans and the general public alike. Below are some tips to keep in mind as you look for your next money-making opportunity:
Take Advantage of Your Experience
In many ways, being a veteran gives you an advantage when it comes to starting a business or finding a good job.
- Starting a new endeavor requires funds; happily, there are plenty of places to secure them.
- There are many opportunities to secure financing as a veteran, especially if you’re starting a business. So, be sure to research and apply for various assistance programs.
- Regardless of whether you’re looking to launch a business or get hired, factor in the skills you’ve acquired to help guide you through the process.
- Also, be sure to look at veteran-friendly employers if you are wanting to work as an employee somewhere.
Research Different Ideas
Every new thing starts with an idea, and this applies to your career as well.
- If your goal is to start a business, consider opening an ecommerce store; you can either sell products out of your home or dropship them (which means that you don’t have to keep physical inventory).
- If you have a passion and expertise in a particular trade or industry, consider making online tutorials and posting them to YouTube. Along with building your reputation as an expert, you can make money from ad revenue and potentially from paid sponsorships.
- You could also consider becoming a freelancer; as your own boss, you can choose what clients and businesses to provide services to, and you can set your own work hours.
Learn to Market Yourself
Whatever you decide to do, marketing yourself is critical.
- Update your resume and cover letter with highlights from your experience.
- If you’re ex-mil, be sure to include that you are a veteran of the armed services at some level in your marketing. Many clients and customers love to support veterans, and employers everywhere are always on the lookout for candidates with grit, servant leadership, and communication skills, all of which are learned in the military.
- To increase your chance of success in business ownership and/or significantly help your future job prospects, consider pursuing an online business degree.
- If you’re starting a business, come up with a marketing plan including how you will brand yourself, who your target audience will be, how you will reach your audience, and so on.
- Social media is paramount for marketing these days, so invest a good bit of your time and energy into promoting your business on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms.
- Of course, you’ll also want to create an engaging and easy-to-use website for your business; it should include product/service information, helpful content, and contact information, among other things.
- It’s also wise to join a post of the American Legion in Connecticut for networking opportunities, professional development, and local updates.
Thanks to the internet, starting your own business or finding a good job that you can do from home is a realistic goal for veterans and non-veterans. If you are a veteran, remember to take advantage of your resources. Also, look into the wide range of business and job ideas out there, and be sure to learn how to effectively market yourself. In no time, you could be getting a new, fulfilling career off the ground.
