Other Ways for Writers to Make Money in their Extra Time

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So you're a writer! If I was a betting woman, I would bet most writers do other things to earn money, from eBay to promotions to other jobs. A few years ago I realized that the days of making BIG bucks writing were pretty much over for me. My best month writing across all my sites together has only netted me a little over $1,000--hardly an income I can thrive on.

I LOVE to write and will keep looking at new things like PWG hoping to find that magic mixture of work, writing, promotion, networking and sites that do a lot of the work, too. But in 2010, I started looking into other avenues, including franchises and business partnerships.

Franchises: With hard work and determination, owning a franchise can bring in a LOT of money, so this idea had a lot of appeal. However, franchises cost a great deal of money, with the LOWEST ones in the $20,000 range and average buying prices in the hundreds of thousands.

Schemes: Then there are the "make big money quick doing nothing" ads all over the internet that usually don't pan out and don't live up to their promises.

Direct Marketing: That's why many people end up turning to direct marketing which can have all the advantages of a franchise, or all the disappointments of a "get rich quick" scheme. So how do you find the right direct marketing business?

• Look for one with a track record of success. Companies like Amway, Mary Kay and even Avon have been around for a long time. These companies have proven they are not a scheme that will take your money and leave you standing on the street corner selling pencils.
• Look for companies that belong to the Direct Selling Association. This organization insists on the highest ethics and training in its member businesses.
• Look for a great product line. Is it something you and your friends would use? Would you use it in ten years?
• Look for companies that are already solvent. A new business, no matter how great the idea sounds, has a high chance of bankruptcy. 
• Look for a company in a booming industry, that is ahead of the trends, that will meet a need no matter how good or bad the economy gets.

Did I find a business I like that has earned me a more-than-decent monthly income working part-time hours from home? Yes, yes I did. In 2010, I chose an anti-aging skin care business because as the baby-boomer generation continues to age, as well as younger generations, our skin will continue to age with us. We all want to look our best. We all want healthy skin. I would use it now and in 10 years.

The dermatologists company I chose owns and created Proactive for acne, so they are WAY beyond solvent as well as award-winning members of the Direct Selling Association. They use social media and social networking much like we do for our articles to sell and promote the products, so it is a format I am very comfortable with. It is almost all done on the computer -- no products to carry or return. And it costs a small fraction of the lowest franchise fees to start my business.

If you want to know more, just ask me! I love to talk about skin care as much as I love to talk about writing now! And here are some links if you want to read more:

• My skin care business
• My skin care products
• Exclusive: Dermatologists Changing the Face of Beauty with New Technology
• A company overview
• My Facebook page

 Also see: How to Earn Money Writing for Examiner.com 

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