Coryan Update # 1

Well, Thanksgiving is over, and I am truely stuffed. I had two of the most amazing meals in the past couple days. And while enjoying the break, I've decided to add regular updates about my own career change journey that I will call Coryan Updates. Each will be numbered...and this is Number One.

About a month ago I decided to begin the steps to changing my career. As I've explained in other posts, I decided to go the moonlighting path to starting a business of my own. I've choosen to create some websites that will earn revenue through advertising, memberships and possibly product sales.

I first generated a list of about 10-12 website ideas. I then went right to the Internet to search for available domain names. This turned out to be more of a challenge that I had expected. I used GoDaddy.com to research specific domain names and NameBoy.com to help generate new name ideas. After about three hours of work, I had a list of 20 available names that had (in my opinion) some potential for the website ideas I had generated. I then narrowed the list down and purchased six of the domains.

I then started this blog and another called Listonga. The blogs were to help me develop two of my website ideas and to learn about web design and advertising. I also signed up at Lynda.com, an amazing website with video tutorials covering more than 100 software titles. I have been learning to use PhotoShop and DreamWeaver (web design software) by watching the videos. It's been a lot to learn, but it's enjoyable and necessary.

So now I have to put these new skills to use. I will talk more about that in my next update. Keep an eye out for Coryan Updates in the future. They will occur on occasion between the regular articles and information.

Resumes: A Key Self-Marketing Tool

I was recently asked for a copy of my resume for a conference presentation I will be doing. I hadn't updated my resume for a couple years and it got me thinking. What value, if any, is a resume if you aren't actually looking for another employer.

Well, after reading the opinion of others and thinking this through, I have come to the conclusion that a resume is VERY important. This, I believe, is true whether you are self-employed for working for someone else. Think about it. A resume is a summary document of your skills and talents as an income producer. The fact is, a resume is probably your most important marketing material in print.

When job seeking, your resume is almost always the first contact you will have with the potential employer. The key to the resume is to get you the interview. That is where you can make the real sale of your knowledge and abilities. Douglas B. Richardson wrote an excellent article describing how an employer actually reads a resume. See his article, Skeptical Resume Reader Tells How He Really Thinks at Career Journal.com (a Wall Street Journal publication).

Even when working for yourself, your resume can help sell your services to others. If you start a service business, your customers will want to know why you are the best person for the job. Your resume speaks to your ability to perform, even if the work is not identical. Even if your business sells things, your resume describes your business acumen and experience. This can be key when selling wholesale to a company that needs to know you can meet your obligations.

To learn more about writing and updating your resume, check out the information at Monster.com.

My Career Change Strategy

I made the decision about three months ago to make a change, but I didn't have a definate plan for what I wanted to do. As a matter of fact, I still don't have a clear plan. But I have a strategy!

First, I decided that I could not make the big jump from employment to self-employment. I didn't have the cash reserve or a plan that would produce a sustainable income. So my choice has been to start earning income through business projects while remaining employed.

This website (and others I am working on) are the beginning of my journey. I am working to design a handful of income producing websites. Some will be total failures, and those will be dropped. I expect some will produce a return. Slowly at first, but with time and hard work, I should realize a meaningful income.

I have started with sites like this one to share information and support it through advertising. I am also developing websites for nonprofit directors and a recreational/educational website. These may have membership features in addition to advertising revenue.

I also expect that this journey could lead me down paths I have not anticipated. I am actually expecting this. I am ready to go with where this journey takes me. In the meantime, I will keep my current job and continue this work at night and on weekends.