Make a Muse Out of This...

[HalfSwede]

Here's the situation:
I currently have a j-o-b with a company that pays reasonably well (actually I'm an independent contractor for the company). It is 100% commission, has flexible hours, but is very seasonal (my busy time of year is Feb through May). Also, the company is struggling at the moment (out of 20 reps I brought in almost 25% of the business this past spring) so I don't want to put all of my eggs in one basket in case they go under. I also have a muse (see sig line below), but at the moment the muse is not ready to pay all of my bills.

So...I'm looking for something I can add to the mix (job or muse) that will carry me until my next busy season (spring '08).

My interests include:
- travel (especially to England, Norway)
- B&B travel
- going to spas, golf
- planning vacations and/or events
- fundraising
- and I am good at sales as long as I believe in the product/service

I have done some travel planning for friends, but not sure that I can get that up and running quick enough and to make enough money to carry me over until spring '08 (or that being a "travel agent" will pay what I need.)

Any suggestions for a muse or job involving the interests mentioned? Something seasonal and/or part-time would be fine as long as it pays the bills. I know this isn't strictly "4HWW" theory, but right now I'm just trying to find something that can at some point down the road turn into a muse even if it is a j-o-b to begin with.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[travelhead]

First off, I really like your Muse in your sig! You already know exactly how to create a muse, so it just seems like you are looking for the right muse for you..

1) England & Norway B&B Directory - Link to sites w/ reviews--possibly develop relationships with B&B owners. Maybe run Google Adsense (https://www.google.com/adsense/), and offer deals on airfare/lodging. Sign up with Cj.com (http://www.cj.com) Allows users to comment/rate B&B.

2) Spa Directory - (Same as above).

Can you apply your giftescapes.com idea to other markets? For example, acupuncture, gyms, etc..

You might also look into building websites around 'coupons' since you already have some experience in that field..

[brookLyNpreNeur]

Travelhead - I am extremely new to this whole web-based business stuff. I'm 23 and just read the book, very ready to learn more! I see you advised having a website linking to other websites and so on. I've had a few ideas like this one for myself. I'm an avid researcher, and spend a lot of time on the internet trying to find the best of everything for the best price and value. I'd love to help others minimize their research time by creating a website with easy to follow sections and links.

My question is, how do you get paid for doing something like that?

Do you get paid at all when people simply visit your website?
Would you contact the websites listed and come up with some sort of payment for advertising for them?

I know I've heard of having people advertise on your site and you get paid per click, but let's say it's not an advertisement from them and just a link to their site?

The more you can elaborate the better, it's pretty obvious I'm kinda clueless about this whole thing.

Thanks in advance!

[travelhead]

I suggest you check out "affiliate marketing" - You can learn more by doing a search for that on Google or visiting my blog (listed in my profile below). With affiliate marketing, you get a commission for each person you refer who signs up or buys a product. You carry no inventory.

[brookLyNpreNeur]

Thanks a lot! Love your website. =]

[mad111]

Hi,

I checked out your website. Great idea! One thing I would suggest, which I'm sure would be true of your business just as it is of most areas of business, is that it will be MUCH more fruitful for you to focus on (or at least include) the higher end of the marketplace. Higher end customers usually equal bigger-ticket purchases and less hassle. (Wealthier customers tend to be less likely to get up in arms about haggling over some $10 dispute -- they'd just rather not waste the time doing so).

So that could mean including much more expensive/high-end B&Bs, spas and restaurants: Think expensive restaurants with big name chefs and very high Zagat ratings; B&B's, spas, inns or small hotels that might be part of "Leading Small Hotels of the World" or "Orient Express," etc., etc. I'm not sure if you'd want to branch out to include some of the bigger luxury hotel chains like the Four Seasons (which I believe also owns a bunch of niche, boutique hotels and resorts under their own unique names), but that might be an option too.

Go BIG, though (as in, high-end), and good luck!!!