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You are here: Experts > Industry > Internet Technology > E-Commerce, Web Businesses > looking to work from home
Expert: Emmett Smith - 11/3/2009
Question
i am a construction worker with no spechel skills ... and i was layed off..so i was woundering if u would have any thoughts to how i could work from home with out loseing a ton of money or so goes the saying do u have any good thoughts that u can send me in the direction
Answer
Don't get involved with online things that promise you easy money. In ten years, I have not heard of one that actually works. You just end up losing money.
As a former bricklayer and homeowner, I have experience in construction and handyman work. Being laid off indicates that you don't really have the time to learn special skills that you don't already have. Most construction workers, whether they are carpenters, masons, plumbers, electricians, steel workers, or just general laborers actually develop a lot of skills that have value to the general public or they wouldn't be working. It has become increasingly hard to find a handyman for those small odd jobs that crop up around homes and businesses. Contractors don't usually want to spend their time on things that may take only a day or a few hours.
Having worked in construction, you must have some skills that can be marketed from your home whether it's installing water-heaters, washers, and dryers or clearing trees, clearing roofs and gutters and digging ditches. Effective digging requires knowledge of how to handle a shovel and pick while watching for underground pipes and cables. The best way to market these skills is to put a sign on your truck or car with your phone number in big numbers, drive slowly through neighborhoods and business centers, leave your vehicle parked in shopping centers, and/or just walk from door to door asking if the occupants need help with anything. If you have the ability to print out fliers, you can also post them on community bulletin boards and leave them at various stores and offices. If you have the ability to get business cards, they are good to pass out as you talk to people while you are out and about. One guy I know hangs out in the parking lots at Home Depot and watches for people loading things like top soil, gravel, and bags of concrete. He walks up and asks if he can help and asks them about their project. He leaves them a card and ends up getting a lot of work in the process when they get home an learn that things are harder than they thought.
When you start getting work, you have to continue to take some time to promote your skills or your work will dry up.
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