...ware writer and my hobby ofastronomy. Everyone goes on about finding niche markets so Iended up writing a piece of software called LunarPhase Pro that provides all theinformation about the Moon that amateur astronomers would everneed, all done in real-time.So my niche market was amateur astronomy. But, to my surprise,people from other niches started snapping up my software -astrologers, stockbrokers, Wiccan, fishermen, military people,hunters. And they came from all over the ...

...world. I even managedto line up some retail outlets to carry the software. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you're starting out inyour own home business, develop something that appeals to you,something you have direct knowledge of and enthusiasm for. Itgives you a running start compared with having to learn theropes in some system or program you haven't got a clue about. Investors will tell you to diversify your portfolio and internetmarketers talk about multiple streams of income. All soundadvice because if one of your investments or internet incomestreams crashes, you won't go down with the ship.With that in mind, I started looking around for income streamsbesides my software. Everything has a shelf life or a sell bydate and, while my software is still selling very well, that maynot always be the case. I started monetizing my websites using Google Adsense (if you'dlike to find out how, check out my "Monetize YourWebsite With Google Adsense" webpage) and some othermoney-generating programs for websites and make $500-$600 permonth this way. The websites are pretty much on auto-pilot, soit's effectively free money!I also became interested in the Home Business market andresearched a number of programs that would potentially boost mymonthly income. Some were good but didn't work for me (not allprograms will work for everyone). Some were just downrightlousy. The rest I signed up with (not too many so that monitoring orworking with them became unmanageable) and all provide somelevel of monthly income (from quite small to reasonably large).I'm not super-rich but I am financially independent. More thanthat, I'm time-rich. I don't waste two hours a day commutingto/from the office. I set my own hours. I don't have to dealwith Corporate politics and BS. I'm not stressed out any more.And I have more time with my family and friends. The programs I've become involved with are listed at my website.They may work for you. They may not. Each of us has differentwants and needs and different skills. You are the one to decidewhat suits your personal circumstances. To make things easier for myself so I'd have all the tools andresources I use just a click or two away, I created the Home Biz Toolbar add-on for InternetExplorer. You're welcome to use it but you'll need to come to mywebsite to download it!There are a huge number of home business opportunities outthere, so always research any program that takes your interest.Make sure it's right for you and that it's being run by a solidcompany. But if you do pick a program, stick with it. Don't be agrashopper, jumping from program to program, wondering whythey're not paying dividends. It takes time and commitment tobuild an online business. Don't put all your eggs in one basket- join two or three programs and protect yourself from thecollapse of any one of them.