My commute is 5 seconds!

Two weeks ago, I wrote to you about a part-time business I thought you might want to consider: Resume Writing.

If you like the prospects of earning a part-time income of $40,000 or $50,000 a year — or of possibly quitting your day job for good some day soon — I think it would be smart to consider this business.

Since I last wrote to you, we’ve had many requests for more information on this idea. For some answers, we went to Michele Angello, who started using the program that I recommended a few weeks ago in Message #598 to start her own resume business. 

ETR: First, tell us about the moneymaking potential of this industry.

MICHELE: “Resume writers are fairly well paid. I know writers who are making over six figures a year after being in the business seven or eight years. As you start getting referrals and repeat business, it is easy to make $40,000 to $50,000 a year.”

ETR: Several people have asked us how long it would take to start such a business.

MICHELE: “I was attracted to this business because I could start right away — with very little investment — with the potential for making a lot of money. Just like most people reading this, I already had everything I needed. It was as simple as owning a computer and a printer and believing I had decent writing skills.

“The time I put into the program was minimal. The materials are very straightforward and simple to get through. I think I spent an afternoon reading them. I started marketing right away, but didn’t get a lot of business until my Yellow Pages ad came out.”

ETR: Other people wanted to know how much of a time commitment is required.

MICHELE: “I kept my day job until January of 2001, then started resume writing full time. Actually, though I consider this to be my full-time job, I really spend only about 20 hours a week doing it. When you start up, you need to concentrate on marketing and networking. Now, I spend most of my time dealing with clients and writing.”

ETR: What has been the biggest change in your life so far?

MICHELE: “Working at home is WONDERFUL! My commute is five seconds to my home office. I can also determine my own schedule. If I want to finish up a project at because I can’t sleep — I can. As a night owl, I can respect my internal clock and not get up when it’s still dark outside. And I can take in as much or as little work as I want.”

* * ** *

Adding to what Michele had to say, we want you to know one more thing: that there’s never been a better time than now to start your own resume business.

As the Washington Post reported a few weeks ago, “The U.S. unemployment rate last month was the highest in nearly eight years.” This means more people than ever need help to put together an effective resume that can help them land an interview.

Writing resumes is a real moneymaking business. It’s one of the few things you can do right from your home … and be proud of … and earn a very nice living at the same time.

[Ed. Note.  Mark Morgan Ford was the creator of Early To Rise. In 2011, Mark retired from ETR and now writes the Palm Beach Letter. His advice, in our opinion, continues to get better and better with every essay, particularly in the controversial ones we have shared today. We encourage you to read everything you can that has been written by Mark.]