I found a very interesting article on the Top Ten Homepreneur Trends for 2010 from smallbiztrends.com. Check it out.

More than half of all U.S. businesses are home-based. These firms are often dismissed as hobbies or part-time ventures with limited economic impact.

But our research shows otherwise.  We estimate that about 6.6 million home-based enterprises provide at least half of their owners’ household income and together employ more than one in 10 private-sector workers.

The rise of the homepreneur is a long-term trend that will continue to accelerate over the next decade.  Fueled by technology and enabled by low costs, businesses of all kinds are finding there is no place like home.

With a troubled but recovering economy as the back drop, here is our list of the Top 10 Homepreneur Trends for 2010.

Economic Trends

1.  The Job-Challenged Economy:  Despite clear signs of economic recovery, job growth and traditional employment options will be limited in 2010.  Employers will continue to be concerned about the economy, focused on costs and timid about hiring.  Because of high unemployment and the lack of jobs, many will turn to self-employment and home-based businesses in 2010.

2.  Bootstrapping: Bootstrapping was one of the most popular business terms in 2009, and 2010 will see continued small business focus on cost containment and cash flow.  The obvious cost advantages of being home-based is leading to more small businesses – including employer businesses and high-tech start-ups – choosing to be home-based.

3.  The Home-Based Artisan: Most think of home businesses as knowledge, commercial or office businesses.  But a new do-it-yourself movement of crafters, digital tinkerers, green advocates and other “Makers” are using their garages, basements and backyards as their factories. These new artisans are combining digital technology and tools with traditional methods to create innovative products, processes and business models.

Read the full post HERE.

Entrepreneurs wear many hats so they often write and edit everything of their own, from proposals to press releases. Below are the top ten questions I ask myself when I edit and proofread my own work.

Editing Checklist

Approximately how many errors do I expect to find per page? (Knowing the density of errors common to the writer, even when you are the writer makes you a more successful editor.)

Have I checked numbers, capitalization, names of people and organizations, hyphens, punctuation, often-confused-words, and difficult-to-spell words?

Have I reworked the sentences in the text during which I hesitated or stumbled when I read the piece aloud?

Is there any block of text that I can cut without sacrificing meaning? On the sentence level, are there words I can cut that do not add meaning?

Are there blocks of text or sentences that would benefit from further explanation or clarification? If so, consider writing one additional sentence.

Are there words I want to reconsider because they lack precision, or because they are either too formal or too informal?

What sentence most clearly and succinctly captures the core of my message? Knowing where the heart of your meaning appears allows you to consider its placement.

Which sentence in this piece would make the best beginning? The best closing?

Are there any long sentences that would read better as two?

Are there any ideas expressed in several sentences that could be delivered in just one?

At Harvard Business Services we like to see entrepreneurs helping each other. Scott Gerber at Entreprenuer.com agrees with this notion and is sharing a fantastic list of ten tips he wish he had known before he started his first business. Below is an excerpt:

1. Focus. Focus. Focus.
   Many first-time entrepreneurs feel the need to jump at every “opportunity” they come across. Opportunities are often wolves in sheep’s clothing. Avoid getting side-tracked. Juggling multiple ventures will spread you thin and limit both your effectiveness and productivity. Do one thing perfectly, not 10 things poorly. If you feel the need to jump onto another project, that might mean something about your original concept.
2. Know what you do. Do what you know.
   Don’t start a business simply because it seems sexy or boasts large hypothetical profit margins and returns. Do what you love. Businesses built around your strengths and talents will have a greater chance of success. It’s not only important to create a profitable business, it’s also important that you’re happy managing and growing it day in and day out. If your heart isn’t in it, you will not be successful.
3. Say it in 30 seconds or don’t say it at all.
   From a chance encounter with an investor to a curious customer, always be ready to pitch your business. State your mission, service and goals in a clear and concise manner. Fit the pitch to the person. Less is always more.

Read the full article here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/youngentrepreneurscolumnistscottgerber/article203254.html