10 Hottest Homebased Businesses For 2000

As long as new software packages are being created, there will be a need for computer trainers to provide instruction to businesses, schools and individuals.

The first step in starting your own computer training business is to determine whether you want a specialized practice-working only with professionals in the legal field, for example-or a more generalized clientele. After that, take steps to master one or more types of software used by your potential clients. A college degree in information technology is helpful but not necessary. Computer training centers offer a wide variety of workshops at different skill levels, which should provide you with enough information to teach others. Some training centers also award certification, which gives new trainers an edge in a highly competitive field.

It's a good idea for independent computer trainers to have been employed as teachers at a training center before going solo, says Arlene Watkins, vice president of Heritage Computer Consulting & Services Inc. in Lenexa, Kansas. Doing that allows them to fine-tune their teaching skills and get a clear sense of what students need from each session.

Trainers usually do marketing and administrative tasks from their home office and conduct the training at the client's site. Trainers generally charge from $35 to $125 per hour, depending on their location, their experience and the extensiveness of the training, and earn between $25,000 and $100,000 annually. In addition to charging an hourly fee, trainers may also include one follow-up visit within the standard rate or may charge an additional fee if more training is needed after the standard sessions have ended.

Start-up costs for a computer training business range up to $10,000. Expenses include fees for workshops; standard office equipment; desktop publishing and presentation software to make your own overhead transparencies, charts and graphs; a binding machine to bind handouts; the necessary software to serve your clients' needs; and insurance against the loss of hardware and data.

There are many ways to market a computer training business. In addition to networking and word-of-mouth advertising, trainers who are certified can get referrals from the manufacturer of the software they intend to teach. You can send direct mail to companies that have purchased particular software packages (the names are available from software vendors) or subcontract with vendors or integrators who install the computer systems. The key is to be creative. Instead of focusing only on businesses, consider going after the at-home market with family-friendly workshops like "Family Fun on the Internet."

Trainers need to be very careful about accepting contracts from companies that make no guarantee of the number of classes you'll be hired to teach and that want ownership of the training materials used in your class, Watkins cautions. Always keep ownership of your materials, and be sure the contract specifies the number of classes to be taught. Watkins believes it isn't enough for a computer trainer to have technical knowledge. It's equally important for a good teacher to be patient, to be able to clearly convey the information to students and to be able to adapt your teaching style to different learning styles.-Pamela Rohland

For More Information

Independent Computer Consultants Association
11131 South Towne Sq., Ste. F
St. Louis, Missouri 63123
(800) 774-4222
www.icca.org