Cool Jobs & Options for Living

Imagine instead getting paid to shop, working with animals, writing about NASCAR, working for yourself, touring the country in an RV or living on a boat, designing costumes, working at the Grand Canyon or for the Peace Corps, working from home, starting your own non-profit, living overseas, or living rent free as a professional caretaker. People do it every day... and so can you.

Click on any section to begin...

• Great Ways to Make a Living Without a Job

• Other Work from Home & Freelance Resources

• More Cool Jobs

• Turn Your Values Into Your Vocation

• Change Your Life... Or Someone Else's

• Cool Jobs for Animal Lovers

• Cool Jobs & Resources for People Who Love to Travel

Great Ways to Make a Living Without a Job

These first seven resources all come from the American Writers and Artists Institute. To learn more about the AWAI, and why I think so highly of their career-changing programs, click here.

Become a Paid Travel Writer  The American Writers & Artists Ultimate Travel Writer's Program is a 269 page course that teaches you everything you need to know to launch your career as a paid travel writer. Topics include insider's secrets to successful interviews, how to make editors happy and eager to work with you, and where to find freelance assignments. As a freelance writer, you'll enjoy earning extra money doing what you love (traveling!), you'll get legitimate and often substantial tax write offs for travel, entertainment, books, computers, and more. Plus, you'll have the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, at your own pace, as your own boss. I have personally reviewed the self-study version of this course as well as attended the live workshop and can tell you without reservation that both are outstanding. Listen to Jennifer Stevens, writer and contributing editor for International Living, and Lori Appling, Manager of the American Writers and Artists Institute's Travel Writing Program answer questions about being a freelance travel writer.

Make Money With Your Computer At Home  Okay, here’s my challenge… In the space of a paragraph, how do I clearly explain this much in-demand career, outline the eight reasons I really like this self-paced course, tell you how you can make a very good income working from home, and have your business up and running in as little as six weeks? Two words… I don’t. But, if you have 60 seconds you can read my complete review.

Start Your Own Resume Writing Business in Less Than a Week There aren’t a lot of businesses you can start for $99. The Pro Resume Writing Program gives you everything you need to set up and run your own successful at-home business as a professional resume writer. In addition to learning how to quickly and easily create resumes for a wide range of professions, you’ll find a heavy emphasis on teaching you how to market and grow your business. In the program description they talk about the potential to earn six figures. If you take advantage of the various add-on services you’ll learn about and focus on a high-end market (people who make six figures expect to pay top dollar for a resume) then I’m sure some people can make that much. But even if you generated more like $25,000 to $50,000, it’s a pretty low risk way to launch a business on the side until you can quit your day job or to just earn extra income.

How to Get Paid to Write Professional Fundraising Letters Not only is writing fundraising copy a rewarding and very profitable endeavor, but the sector is enormous and good copywriters are in great demand. A staggering 1.6 million charities raise funds in the U.S. each year. They range in size and scope - from a neighborhood group looking to raise a few hundred dollars to a shelter for stray dogs to organizations with a global reach like Habitat for Humanity or the International Rescue Committee, which send as many as 100 million direct-mail letters a year. Imagine how you'd feel knowing that what you wrote helped 3 million people in 29 countries get access to clean drinking water, provided safe, secure housing for 5,400 families in the US, protected 160,000 acres of timberland in Tennessee and Oregon, or put 23 computers in the elementary school down the street. Now you can. The Secrets of Writing for the Fundraising Market self-study program from the American Artists and Writers Institute guides you step-by-step on how to launch this lucrative and satisfying career.

Writing for Love and Money: How to Become a Successful Romance Writer Each year, more romance novels are published than books in any other category. With a lock on over 53% of all popular paperback books sold, romance sales are more than double that of the next most popular genre (mystery/detective/suspense). And, over the past five years, the number of romance readers in America grew from 41 million to well over 51 million. The American Artists and Writers Institute offers the ultimate blueprint for writing page-turning romance books that the market is so hungry for - and since this is a self-study program you can learn your craft at your own pace without quitting your day job.

Break into Print as a Freelance Author or Writer Do you love to write but have never really honed your craft? Do you want to enjoy the freedom and flexibility of a freelance author or writer? Do you find it hard to discipline yourself to complete one of the many articles or books you have floating around in your head? What if there was a writing program that has such a track record of success that it actually promises graduates they will complete at least two manuscripts suitable for submission to an editor by the time they finish the program? A program that not only taught you technique and matched you with a writing tutor who gave you line-by-line feedback of your writing but also handed you the tools and the know-how you need to break into print. Interested? I was. The Long Ridge Writer’s Group has been helping people with a passion for writing to break into print for over 30 years. To read my complete review of this hands-on writing program with an impressive track record of graduating published writers click here.

Work From Home By Running Your Own Home Repair Referral Network  There are over 200 Homeowner Referral Networks (HRN) operating in the U.S., Canada, and abroad. HRN was rated the #1 Business Opportunity for 1999 by Small Business Opportunities Magazine and founder Debra Cohen has received tons of national media coverage. Basically, the business involves matching homeowners with reputable independent home repair contractors who in turn pay you a percentage of their fee. A range of business start-up kits are available all of which include The Complete Guide to Owning and Operating a Successful Homeowner Referral Network and unlimited leads from the HRN website. To learn more about how Deb got started click here. Listen to Deb Cohen, founder of Homeowner Referral Network answer questions about starting your own HRN business. Click here to read about a real life success story.

Offer Your Own Teleclasses  If you enjoy teaching – and have something to share with others – you can lead Teleclasses. Conducting a Teleclass can be fun, personally rewarding, and extremely profitable! You pick the topic – anything from managing teenagers to marketing to meditation – and students pay to attend! Advertise your class at Teleclass.com which also offers training in how to be a Teleclass leader. Classes on how to give Teleclasses are now offered through the Teleclass Leaders community at Coachville.

Making Money as an Artist: How to Sell the Reproduction Rights to Your Artwork for Profit  Who says you can’t make money from your art? You don’t have to be a “fine artist” to have your images appear on greeting cards, prints and posters, calendars, on collector plates, in books, animation, for record companies, on coffee mugs, coasters, clothing and fabric, gift bags, fabric, shower curtains – virtually any surface that has a design. This comprehensive course by art licensing guru Michael Woodward spells out step how to get paid for your artwork. He ought to know. Over the past 30 years he’s licensed over $600 million in retail goods. Given that the artist earns a percentage of these sales, suffice it to say, Michael is not your stereotypical “starving artist.” By combining his personal “tricks of the trade” with a storehouse of information on the art licensing world, he’s compiled the most comprehensive course available today to guide artists and photographers through the licensing maze so they can start earning money from their art and beautifying the world in the process. Click here to read my complete review of Michael Woodward’s Art Licensing Course.

Everything You Need to Launch Your Career as a Highly Paid Speaker Imagine being able to make a difference in the world by sharing your message with an enthusiastic audience. Not only are you earning tens of thousands of dollars a month in speaker fees but you also have an excellent platform to do what the top speakers do… generate six or even seven figures in additional income from the sale of your CD programs or books, consulting fees and other profit centers available to every speaker.

How to Write and Market Your Own Self-Help Book  Mark Victor Hansen, who co-wrote the astoundingly successful Chicken Soup for the Soul series, walks you step-by-step through his method for writing and marketing a best-selling self-help book. Hansen and a panel of highly successful colleagues in the PR, publishing, self-publishing, marketing, and internet world teach you their insider secrets to writing, publishing, and promoting your own best-seller.

This CD program, based on Hansen’s renowned Mega Book Marketing University Course, brings you the formula and inspiration it takes to build an information empire including:

• simple but highly effective marketing strategies

• the secret behind negotiating a six-figure advance

• how to sell $50,000 a month on the Internet

• what it takes to land a coveted spot on a TV talk show

• how to find (and write to) markets that buy.. and much more

From infomercials to one-day seminars to book-signings to coaching programs and more, Hansen reveals every nuance – and every lesson – he relies on to create businesses that make millions. I own this program and can tell you from personal experience that if you are serious about learning how to write and sell a best-selling self-help book, this program is a wise investment. To learn more click here.

Secrets of Writing for the Self-Help Market Imagine experimenting with the latest yoga poses for golfers...Learning persuasive speaking skills... Discovering savvy real estate investing secrets... Healing through divine intervention with angels... Exploring feng shui... All the while, helping millions of other people enjoy the SAME experiences. Break into this exciting self-help market now by clicking here.

Investing in Real Estate This site features a number of different resources on how to make money rehabbing and reselling houses. What I can tell you is that one of the Making Dreams Happen workshop attendee’s who went on to launch a very successful business investing in real estate raves about Robyn Thompson’s stuff.

Train to be a Personal Coach  The coaching business is booming as more and more people hire personal, business, and executive coaches to help them achieve their goals. Because most coaching is done over the phone, coaches can work from anywhere. There are a number of coach training programs out there. I picked this one because it is resource rich, offers numerous training options, invites member participation on its many R&D teams, and is free to join! Members (I am one) have access to RealAudio and a wide range of web-based training courses based around 100 Coaching Competencies. You'll also find hundreds of forms (checklists, guides, assessments, etc.) for all types of coaching with all types of clients.

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Other Work From Home & Freelance Resources

You Don't Have To Be A Struggling Artist Forget all that nonsense about being a starving artist, writer or performer. In his newest book, "Unleash the Artist Within," Bob Baker walks you through a simple four-week program that will help you transform yourself into a self-promotion machine. He'll show you how to get exposure, attract fans, make more sales and get the respect, attention and prosperity you deserve. I know Bob. He's been at this a long time and knows what he's talking about. 

How To Market & Prosper From Your Music Whether you're promoting your fast-growing indie label or your one-man or one-woman act from your basement, Bob Baker's Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook has been described as the next best thing to a college course on music marketing. The Handbook is chock full of low-cost ideas for doubling your CD sales in 90 days, getting media coverage, financing your next recording project, and more. And what could be better than a one-year money back guarantee!

TRAX: Get Your Music Heard Too often we take for granted that everybody knows what we know. A fellow Changing Course reader named Susan spent the last four years working behind the scenes in a recording studio where she selected music for advertisements and television for the likes of Nike, Foot Locker, Wendy's, Citibank, Betty Crocker, Starbucks, Listerine, Sprint, AT&T, X-Box, Heineken, Calvin Klein, NBC, MTV, Nickelodeon, and The Discovery Channel. Yet it took a conversation with her musician brother-in-law to discover that most musicians don’t know how easy it really is to get their music heard without an audition, agents, or consulting company. So Susan used her insider knowledge to create a step-by-step guide for musicians. The guide covers things like how to present yourself like a pro, what industry professionals are really looking for including how to lay out your tracks, key technical specs of the industry, and how to package your work. According to Susan, once you know which professionals to send your work to, you'll never be at a loss for contacts. That’s why her book also includes sample contracts, industry links, and more a free list of contacts, links, and addresses of industry professionals actively looking to buy your music. For a limited time your purchase comes with a free evaluation of one of your tracks.

The Home-Based Business Opportunity Site features an extensive article and resource library featuring articles on how to turn any hobby into a part-time business, 29 ways to make money cooking or baking, starting your own glass etching business, plus links to various courses and eBooks on how to start specific businesses.

The Telework Job Seekers Handbook Legitimate work at home jobs do exist! The key, says Phil Montero, AKA the "Mobile Man" is knowing where to find them and how to weed out scams. Phil's eBook contains 275 pages including over 1000 links and resources. If you want a more flexible work schedule while still having the benefit of a regular weekly paycheck, would like to work for a company that understands the value of work/life balance and understands that there is more to life than just work, or would you like to eliminate your daily commute and instead spend more time with family and friends – this site is for you.

Finding Freelance Assignments ELance is a freelance job finding service where you can market your services and bid on a wide range of freelance assignments. The service is especially useful for those seeking to start or build a home-based business in the areas of: Web design & development, software & technology, graphic design, business strategy (marketing, business plans, PR, etc.), writing & translation, personal assistants, legal (research, patents, etc.), accounting & finance or a whole host of other areas to fit your skills and interests. 

Train Women To Do Their Own Home Repair This woman-owned business seeks to educate women to become confident, competent homeowners by offering workshops and a range of lighter-weight tools designed to fit a woman's grip. They're actively seeking entrepreneurial women to learn how to become trainers and earn money on the sale of the tools. Think of it as being an Avon rep but with tools. The Problem: A friend tried it and discovered that it's not easy finding other women who have the time to host an in-home party. My Work-Around Idea: Hold your workshop at a local tile, furniture, window treatment, or other store where home-owners shop. The store gets the traffic and you get free advertising and meeting space. If you like this idea, look into combining it with running your own Home Referral Network.

So You Wanna... You could spend hours on this site. Not totally work related but the ones that are offer great information in categories like so you wanna be a sitcom writer, comic book artist, pitch a TV show, publish your poetry, write a business plan, and lots more.

More Cool Jobs

Jobs for Sports Lovers This on-line employment service deals exclusively with sport-related jobs. Subscribers get access to hundreds of job listings in all aspects of sports including marketing, media, sales, health and fitness, facilities, IT, administration and management. Post your resume, learn about internships, and find contact info for major sports franchises. Sample jobs listed on the site include NASCAR reporter, stadium manager, bilingual motor sports marketing manager, and play-by-play hockey announcer for a local radio station. Most require previous experience but others offer a way to get your foot in the door. 

Get Paid to Shop Yes, you can really get paid to shop! Mystery shopping is easy and fun, and it is a great way to make extra money in your spare time. Mystery shoppers get paid for providing valuable customer service feedback by visiting stores, restaurants, banks, salons, movie theaters, hotels and other businesses as "undercover customers." Cathy Stucker (aka The Idea Lady) offers a list of FAQ about Mystery Shopping, a free Mystery Shopping 101 guide, and the only Mystery Shopper's Manual endorsed by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association.

Dream Jobs to Go If you've ever wondered how you could make a living working as a book reviewer, costume designer, adoption specialist, dog trainer, touring the world in an RV, or in dozens of other interesting lines of work.... find out here.

 Back Door Jobs Are you ready to explore the many doors of opportunity that short-term jobs have to offer? Or maybe you're interested in finding your place in the world? This site features lots of life-expanding opportunities under categories like adventure, nature lover jobs, heart work, and opportunities abroad.

Circus of the Kids This fascinating company which teaches kids how to do circus acts are often seeking staff on a contract basis for school gigs and summer camps.

FabJob This site features “how to: guides to starting a wide range of livelihoods like catering, acting, floral design, screen writer, personal fitness trainer, wedding planner, yoga teacher, etiquette consultant, art curator, stand up comic, and butler… just to name a few.

Love History and Writing? Did you know you can actually get paid for writing personal biographies for people? According to the Association of Personal Historians, personal historians come from a variety of backgrounds and orientations. They also earn a living doing some other cool things in such areas as genealogy, storytelling, gerontology, counseling, and video documentary. This association offers conferences, workshops, and a place to connect with others who share your passion for history and for making a living at it.

Free Business Niche Specific Magazines Industry magazines can give you real insight into a specific kind of business or who else is going after your same market (study the ads). They can also be a potential place to advertise your own product or service or better yet get them to write about you. This site offers free initial subscriptions to a wide range of trade magazines such as Period Homes, a quarterly magazine edited for professionals involved with residential renovation and restoration, Hispanic Business for entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals interested in this vast market, Apartment Finance Today which reports on development, financing, sales/acquisitions and asset management of apartment properties, and Specialty Coffee Retailer magazine focusing exclusively on the profitable operation of a coffeehouse, coffee bar, or coffee.

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Turn Your Values Into Your Vocation

Just because you can't save the world doesn't mean you can't make a difference. Click here to learn about how you can:

• Start your own non-profit organization 
  Starting a non-profit doesn't happen overnight. On the other hand, it's not nearly as hard as you might think! 

• Write a grant 
  The Foundation Center offers free workshops on grant writing and a monthly subscription service listing grants available to artists, researchers.

• Start a for-profit business or an online business
  Once you've decided on a group or cause you want to in some way support think about what gifts you'd like to use in the service of your values. For example, you might start your own consulting or speaking business, write a book, or offer some kind of product or service. 

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Make a Living by Making a Difference

Join the Peace Corp It’s not for everyone but the friends I know who have done it have been changed forever.

Making a Living By Making A Difference  This site helps you turn your values into your vocation. It has a searchable database of nearly 37,000 non-profits in 165 countries where you'll find job postings, volunteer opportunities, events, etc.  Plus there's a place to promote your products or consulting services to non-profits, a library of inspiring articles, and lots more. Site can be accessed in Spanish, French, and Russian.

Habitat for Humanity This organization uses local volunteers to build houses for people who could otherwise never afford to own their own home. They've got some unique programs like Women Build and Care-a-Vanners in which RV owners volunteer for various projects around the country.

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Cool Jobs for Animal Lovers

The Humane Society University site has lots of great information for people who are or Dog Trainers Network or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

Pet Sitters International Information for people who want to start a pet sitting business including getting insurance.

Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) has established a series of standards for professional competence in pet dog training by certifying dog training professionals. Exams are held in 15 states and candidates who pass the exam will earn the title Certified Pet Dog Trainer and may use the designation, "CPDT," after their names. The APDT also sponsors an annual educational conference and trade show.

In Europe: The Animal Consultants and Trainers Association. For my European friends... according to the site, ACTA members have experience in the field of media use of animals in stills, stage, advertising, television and film.  

Six Careers for Pet Lovers  Article features these and many more great ideas for animal lovers.