Second Career for Senior Citizens

Columnists

Seniors today are coming out of retirement with energy and excitement for the next stage and possible second career of their lives. For many, it’s an exciting time knowing they have the skills and the methods for developing their own businesses that will help them supplement the gross inadequacy of retirement savings or pensions.

But for many seniors, retirement is a time of disappointment and regret. They’re disappointed because they didn’t plan better for their retirement years and regret that they have to get at least a part time job to make ends meet.

Embarking on a second career for seniors isn’t as daunting as it may seem. Now, with the powers of the Internet at their backs, seniors can learn new skills and build an Internet business they can use to supplement incomes and keep their minds sharp.

Benefits of Coming Out of Retirement as an Entrepreneur

Many seniors are realizing that what they’ve saved for retirement years isn’t going to be enough to support them and even provide them with necessities – much less the luxuries they’d like to enjoy.

That’s why so many seniors are building online businesses well before the retirement party. One of the benefits of building a part time business in your spare time before you retire is that you’ll already have an income and it can increase as your business grows.

Plus – having a second career to pursue after retirement keeps your mind sharp and you won’t ever get bored if you’re committed to your business pursuits. But this time you can set your own hours and only answer to yourself as the boss.

Starting an online business long before the retirement day comes is the best way to begin enjoying your business and reaping the benefits before you actually need them to kick in.

You’ll get to know how far the skills (or hobbies) you already have will take you in your business endeavors and just what will be required to grow the business when you finally have more hours in the day.

Beginning a new business on the ‘net may not be for all seniors. It may take developing a completely different mindset and lots of patience to succeed. A realistic way to look at beginning any new business is that it will take six months to a year to know if you’re going to succeed fully at it.

Most seniors think the idea of creating an online business plan is highly preferable to searching for a new job after retirement. Your hours and your life enjoy a flexibility that just can’t be found in any other part time or full time job.

When you consider that most in the baby boomer generation will not have a pension they can rely upon or have enough money saved for a long retirement, the outlook can be bleak except for the possibilities of making money and beginning a new career after retirement age.

The Internet has made it possible to redefine the retirement years for seniors. No matter how old you are, you can learn what it takes to become an online entrepreneur and use it to build a business even before retirement.

Rethink the concept of retirement and learn how you can benefit from starting an online business – even before you retire.

Why More Seniors Are Launching an Online Business

Supplementing a totally inadequate retirement income is a major concern for those who are retired or about to enter their retirement years. Another concern is keeping themselves mentally and physically active during years when some are willing to just relax and do nothing – causing both mental and physical atrophy.

Also, launching an online business has become very appealing to those who lack money for startup costs and who want to avoid headaches and time involved in an offline business.

The cost of starting an online business after the computer and Internet connection are minimal. Plus, seniors can turn a passion such as golfing or fishing into money-making blogs, websites and businesses offering products.

There’s no overhead such as advertising unless you want to invest in paid methods. When you know how to use the Internet for profit, you can advertise for free on social media and other sites.

Those who have developed useful skills are way ahead of the retirement game. For example, if you’ve been a counselor, you can begin a self-help site, teach an online course or write a book for Kindle.

There are many ways for seniors to begin new and exciting careers on the ‘net and make a supplemental income to help pay for necessities or luxuries that the retirement income won’t cover.

Many seniors are ready to kick back and enjoy some leisure activities they’ve been unable to do during their job years. An Internet business allows you to set your own hours and devote as much or as little time as needed or wanted to build your business to the level you desire.

Online businesses are also great for meeting new friends and socializing. Studies show that seniors who retire often miss the opportunity to interact with coworkers each day. An online business opens the door to global networks, letting you get to know people from all walks of life and around the world.

An online business is low stress. Compare the thought of running a business from the comfort of your home to beginning your new career by purchasing and running a restaurant, for example.

When you’re entering your retirement years, the last thing you want to do is immerse yourself in a high-stress, high-investment type of business. With an online business, you can begin slowly, with very little overhead needed.

Thanks to the power of the Internet, seniors can now supplement their retirement incomes by starting an online business that they can be proud of and one which will provide satisfaction for many years to come.

What’s the Learning Curve for Senior Online Entrepreneurs?

Some seniors are lucky enough to have learned basic computer and Internet skills at previous jobs, while others are clueless about how to maneuver in this highly technical world.

Many seniors shun computers and the Internet because they think it’s too difficult and they’re too old to learn and others think it’s exciting and are eager to join the trend. Learning to use a computer can be fun and even profitable for seniors if they have the right attitude.

The learning curve for seniors getting to know computers and use the Internet varies according to the knowledge they already have. Luckily, there are classes available, both on and offline to help anyone at any level learn from exactly the place they’re at.

Online, step-by-step videos and written tutorials are available so that seniors can learn and progress at their own pace. When seniors are relatively comfortable with maneuvering around the ‘net, they may decide to start their own business to supplement retirement income or simply provide them with luxuries they can no longer afford.

Running an online business may seem like a formidable task if you’re not familiar with many technical aspects of the Internet. The good news is that many tasks can be outsourced if you’re not ready to tackle them.

Computers and the Internet can provide seniors with many hours of fun and socializing. It’s a way to bring the world into the living room and keep them active, both mentally and socially without ever having to leave their homes.

Unlimited support is also available for those seniors who want to learn more about computers and the Internet. Once seniors learn that they can easily stay in touch with friends and family through emails, Skype, Facebook and chatting, they usually warm up to the idea of spending some time learning this incredible and fun opportunity.

Many seniors may lack confidence in themselves to learn such an intimidating new skill, but with the proper support, they usually begin to enjoy the process and want to learn more.

Some seniors have trouble learning the language of computers and the ‘net. There are so many technical terms which may be totally unfamiliar to them, but are part of most people’s everyday language.

Learning the definition of terms such as URL address or web browsing may seem like learning a new language, but begin slowly and progress to the next level as you feel more comfortable.

Starting a Business for Under $12 a Month

Amazingly, that’s all you’re going to pay to start your new online business. A domain name is about $10 per year and hiring a hosting service is under $10 per month. The remainder of tasks for your new business can be done by you – unless you choose to outsource some of the work (such as writing content).

More retirees are choosing to supplement their retirement incomes with an online business rather than enduring the astronomical costs of an offline business. The cost is low and they can set their own hours and be their own boss.

All you need are a computer and an Internet connection and some knowledge of both and you’re ready to go. There are so many types of online business which utilize the skills and experiences that seniors likely have that it can be fairly easy to find a niche that will be profitable and even fun and rewarding.

Most of the technical knowledge that seniors may not be familiar with can be outsourced for very little money – or enlist the help of children and grandchildren to help you out. Unlike a traditional offline business, the requirements of an online business are as simple as having an idea and developing a blog and website.

More than anything else, starting an online business requires discipline. If you’re used to working for a boss, you may find it difficult to set your own hours and work at your own pace – but with patience and fortitude, you can make it work.

You also have to remember that there is a lot of competition in online businesses. Your consumers will be looking for quality and value and your job is to convince them that your product is what they need.

That can be accomplished with research of your niche and offering the highest quality product you can possible provide. Never cut corners when it comes to quality and always take the high road when it comes to your customers.

Keep upgrading and updating your website and blog as you can afford it. Spending a bit more money to polish your website and create interesting content will drive traffic to your site and the result will be more sales and profit.

Types of Businesses You Can Launch Online

No matter what your skills or preference, there is likely an online business that will appeal to you. If you’re a senior just out of retirement, it’s especially enticing to start another career or build your own business with very little startup costs and the pleasure of being your own boss.

Even if you don’t know a great deal about computers or the Internet, you can catch up with one or more of the many courses – both online and offline – that will get you moving in the right direction.

The types of businesses from which you can choose are many and varied. Consider your skills and experience and check out such businesses as affiliate marketing, writing or recording info products, coaching or selling content (PLR).

There are also ways to become a virtual assistant to a company or person or you could begin creating graphics for eBooks and other specialties. If you have a knack for writing, you may want to consider writing reports for businesses or writing blog posts for online business owners.

Free online tools are available and easy to implement and can be very powerful as a way to get you started. One of the top online demands for services on the Internet in 2016 include freelance writing.

As a freelance writer, you would write articles and content and possibly propose creative ideas for future work. Most large businesses and websites prefer to outsource their writing tasks on an as-need basis, so there are enough freelance writing jobs for most everyone.

You may want to consider becoming a virtual assistant if you have experience in managing an office or projects. As a virtual assistant, you would help businesses and people stay organized and help them complete administrative tasks. Keep in mind that your list of tasks may vary according to your client’s needs.

The growth of the Internet has made it possible for people to have a home-based business. This is the perfect scenario for retired seniors, those with disabilities that make it difficult to commute to a job or to those who desire to create their own businesses and leave a legacy they can be proud of.

Seniors Facing Financial Insecurity Turn to the ‘Net for Stability

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One of the most appealing facts to seniors about the Internet is that it can supplement their retirement incomes. What seniors have saved during the most productive time of their lives just isn’t enough to retire comfortably and they’re looking for other means besides pinching pennies to make ends meet.

The ‘net offers a myriad of methods to leverage income and experience – and without the startup costs of most businesses or embarking on new careers. There is so much information available (including courses you can take on your computer) about making money on the Internet that seniors should have no problem finding a path that suits them well.

All you need is a basic knowledge of computers and how the Internet works (through emailing and other methods of communication). You should be able to create a custom-made business plan that perfectly suits your needs.

You’ll find all types of help, including forums, blogs, online tutoring and much more that will teach, motivate and help you begin earning money that can make you more financially secure during your retirement years.

WordPress makes it fairly easy to brand yourself and immediately begin to bring in revenue with very small startup costs. These costs may include a small amount for a domain and hosting for your new venture.

Know that starting an online business has very few shortcuts. There are many scams on the ‘net that prey on seniors and those desperate for money and offer overnight success.

There’s no overnight success when it comes to creating an online business. Your financial success depends on more than just how much time and effort you’re willing and able to put into your business. It requires you to enjoy helping the readers in your niche market.

When in doubt, visit a valued forum or blog and ask those who have had success in building an online business. You’ll find that most entrepreneurs will be ready and willing to help you as much as you need and even offer some alternative and legitimate ways to learn the business.

The Internet offers some of the best methods for seniors to make money to supplement their incomes. But even more important – it offers unique challenges which can boost mental acuity and help inactive seniors become excited about life again.

Take advantage of the opportunities the Internet offers for making extra cash and using skills you’ve learned during your lifetime. You’ll enjoy sharing your years of wisdom, or even embarking on a brand new niche adventure for something you’ve always wanted to learn.

Should You Worry About Competition on the Internet?

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Don’t shy away from a niche you’d like to get involved in just because you see the competition is plentiful. All that means is that you have a good idea and it’s a proven moneymaker according to how many others want a part of that pie too.

Competition is a good thing because it can also prove the track record of a niche. What you want to do is bring something to the table within that niche that your competition is not offering.

For example, plenty of companies jumped on the bandwagon after the Kindle was released and began to offer protective cases in a variety of designs and colors to the public who purchased the Kindle and other electronic devices.

However, one company decided to create a niche with safety from theft in mind and created a cover that resembles an old book – protecting the Kindle from scratches and from the view of would be thieves as well. They took a niche and narrowed it down and charged ahead of the competition and are now making plenty in profits.

Any product that is specifically focused will always beat out the competition. If you want to work a niche on weight loss, you’ll discover that the weight loss niche is saturated with websites, books and other products dedicated to the topic.

It’s easy for consumers to get what’s called ‘blind eye’ when it comes to anything new on the weight loss scene because of that over saturation. So what you would do is take the topic of weight loss and narrow it down to only one small aspect of the weight loss topic.

You could narrow it down by focusing only on organic weight loss products or information. You could also narrow it down by targeting only women who’ve given birth and now want to lose weight and get back to pre-pregnancy shape.

The trick is to take an old topic and give it a fresh twist. Think of all the magazine headlines that you read. You never see a new topic – just a fresh twist on what’s already been around for centuries.

This is the part where doing your homework pays off. Once you’ve selected the niche that interests you, research all the competition on that niche. What are they offering? What audience are they targeting? Which audience is being left out? How can you take that niche and make it more valuable to the consumer?

One way to discover what people are looking for in a niche is by doing keyword research. You can find free keyword tools online and go through the keywords that your audience uses when searching for information about the topic. That may help give you ideas on how to narrow your focus for your niche.

How to Avoid Getting Scammed as You Learn

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There are a few scammers on the Internet who prey on seniors attempting to learn how to build an online business. They may promise immediate success (know that there’s no such thing) and charge you an astronomical amount of money for their courses or sure-fired methods of making money online.

It’s like purchasing a frozen pizza in a box with a picture that looks like the most delectable pizza you’ve ever seen. Then, when you open the box to heat and eat it, it looks like someone played a joke on you. There may be a few sprinkles of cheese and a teaspoon of sauce –- nothing like the picture on the box.

That’s what scammers do to would-be online senior entrepreneurs. They paint a pretty and exciting picture of making a fortune in no time at all. Unfortunately, there is rarely a quick way to make an immediate fortune online.

That doesn’t mean that everyone offering courses or charging you for advice is a scammer, but if you come in contact with a marketer who doesn’t respond to your emails asking for information or who tries to push you into a multi-level marketing situation – beware.

Check out the reputation of the people who are offering the once-in-a-lifetime deals where you have to buy it now or the price goes up astronomically. Also, promising that you’ll make money on the first day if you just plug in and then sit back and watch the dollars roll in is just not true.

Fortunately, there are great marketers who offer real time help that will get your business up and running. They’ll walk with you along the way and take you under their wings when you’re having doubts or problems.

Forums are excellent places to sort out who’s who in the Internet marketing world. Get to know the marketer before you do business with him or her and don’t shell out your hard earned money until you know it’s legit.

The truth about making money on the Internet is that you have to know how to use a computer (many scammers claim you don’t) and you have to know your way around the Internet. If anyone tells you different, beware.

Understanding how things work online will help you reach success faster than any scheme that a scamming marketer could. The reputable marketers are out there and ready and willing to help you learn all you need to know about becoming an Internet entrepreneur.

Where to Learn What You Need to Know

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When seeking to become an expert in a niche, it’s important to realize it’s not going to happen overnight. You’re going to have to do your time like everyone else – learning, building, and becoming the expert that you want to become. However, don’t let the daunting hill ahead of you stop you. Before you know it, you’ll be at the top of that hill and you’ll never look back.

Read Books
There are likely books and opinions out there already on your niche. It’s important to read and soak in a variety of ideas from those who are already experts. Knowing the prevailing wisdom and how it came to be will help you on your journey to becoming an expert, and will also aid you in forming your own thoughts and opinions.

Get Experience
As you are learning from other experts, you’ll want to implement what you’ve learned. There is no such thing as an expert on a topic who has not tried it or done it. Put into practice the theories you’re learning about. Test out some of your own ideas, see what works and what doesn’t work. This is the foundation by which you’ll become a sought-out expert, because you have proof that you did xyz and it worked or did not work.

Join Mastermind Groups
A mastermind group usually consists of a leader who is an expert in a particular niche. You don’t have to join a group that is in your niche; instead join a group that is designed to help you achieve in your own niche. For example, if you need to learn more about public speaking to help promote your ideas, join a public speaking mastermind group.

Take Courses
Today you don’t have to even leave your house to take courses to learn the things you want to know. You can take both accredited and unaccredited courses to become an expert. Courses are offered by even MIT that are not accredited. The important thing is that you learn what you need to learn in a manner that enables you to learn a topic quickly.

Stay Focused
While you’re involved with learning it can be easy to be distracted from your mission. Your mission is to become an expert in a particular topic and niche, not to become the best public speaker. So don’t get your head turned just because you find learning something exciting – stay the course.

Hire a Coach
For some people, hiring a coach that can help them stay focused on doing what they set out to do can be helpful. The coach doesn’t have to be an expert in the area you want expertise in either. Instead they should be an expert in helping people reach their goals, whatever they are. However, it does help if the coach is cognizant of your field a little.

Practice
You’ve heard your mom say it, “Practice makes perfect” and it’s true. The more you practice something and gain experience in something, the more likely you are to become an expert. Don’t just do it once a week; do whatever it is every day. They say it takes 10,000 hours of studying and doing to become an expert, so don’t waste any opportunities.

Don’t Give Up
It’s important to persevere and not give up. You may become an actual expert before the public accepts you as an expert. This is to be expected, but can be difficult to handle. Just keep going, keep promoting, and keep learning and it will happen. One step forward each day will culminate in gaining what you set out to gain.

As you embark on your rise to expert status, you’ll likely find that there are roadblocks impeding your ability to get to the top. But, you can overcome all of them with perseverance and focus on the goals that you have made.