A Wonderful Opportunity for Blind People Who Are Good writers

I've been making my living as a ghost writer for quite some time, and it has been quite profitable. Since I've had alot of success, I've decided to share this with all of you.

Two sites you can join for free and virtually get work right away are at www.scriptlance.com and www.rentaghostwriter.com. You will receive notices to your email whenever new projects are posted so you can start to bid and get work.

Go ahead and get started. Never again do you have to be a statistic of the unemployed blind persons in this country. Remember, we have a mission, and that mission is to better our lives. We do not have to live according to the boxes people put us in.

What are some advantages of getting into this business?

1. You can work from the comfort of your own home. I love that as i constantly suffer from chronic illness. And most of you all who know me and read my blog know that chronic illness is not an excuse to keep me out of work. I love to work in the comfort of my bed, especially when Old Arther (arthritis) is having it's way with me.
2. I can travel anywhere I want because my business is portable. All that is needed is a computer and Internet connection.
3. You can control how much you want to do and how much you want to earn.

So, what are you waiting for?

If I Can, You Can Too!

There are times you will run into ignorance as a blind person. Some will think you are incapable of certain tasks as a result of lacking eyesight. But, what they don't realize is, you as a blind person have gifts that THEY lack since they have sight.

I know I've been told this: but, have you ever been told that you couldn't do something because you were blind and that your blindness would pose a danger to you. These things would be things such as traveling in a major city, having or adopting children, going out at night (I would not recommend it for females though.), etc. While these people are very well meaning, they don't know. Not to mention, it is comments like these that are of great annoyance. To show you, and anyone else who reads this post today, I've done a number of things and have been very successful at doing them despite what others view what is safe for a blind person or not. And, if I can do it, so can any other blind person. I will list all that I've done and give the strategies as to how I did them so other fellow blind people may copy my example which will, in turn, give them a measure of success.

1. I'm now a successful online marketer as well as a professional fulltime writer/editor. I did this by doing many things. First, I became a member of the Warrior Forum, the best Internet marketing forum online with the quickest results. I did have a scuffle with some there in the beginning: however, with a few changes on my part such as humility and learning not to become so easily offended, things are all ironed out, and those people there have contributed largely to my success. The forum can be found at www.warriorforum.com. Then, for my writing jobs, I went to www.craigslist.net and looked under the job categories, scrolled down, and then selected writing and editing. I checked the telecommuting option which gave me several freelance jobs which is why I've been hired for a large company based out of California. Craig's List is a worldwide online newspaper: so, the supply of telecommuting jobs is endless. There is no excuse why you can't find one there. You don't have to do the writing ones either. i just gave that as an example as that is what I'm doing. There are several different jobs with various skills required. However, should you wish to become a hired writer, you can try going to www.junglepage.com to see if you can get hired. Also, to find several companies where you can possibly be hired to work from home, do the following google searches;
ghost writer
ghost writing companies
writing and editing jobs
writing services

Contact each company via phone and email introducing yourself. Don't forget to provide writing samples. I'll tell you that if you are just breaking through, it is a great idea to do some free work in exchange for testimonials to establish credibility since many companies want someone that is already well established and it is hard for a new writer. Believe me, I know.

3. Network, network, network! I can't stress this enough. When trying to succeed, no man is an island. You will always need someone. Make it your regular routine to chat in the Internet marketing forums even if it is for an hour a day. You will meet many interesting people, learn alot, as well as form great business relationships. You can do joint ventures, which totally contribute to the quick growth of a business, as well as establish long term business partners. I've done both and had a measure of success.

In the near future, I hope to make greater achievements to show those sighted around me that I can do what they doubt I can. Like I said, If I Can Do It, You Can Too!

What Are We?

There has been a resolution in the blind community as many of us know about how to refer to us. Many out there trying to be very politically correct call us a word that they feel won’t offend us: however, it is not something we want. They would rather refer to us as “visually impaired” while, in fact, we are blind.

I know that irks me very much. I would rather be called blind. Calling me visually impaired makes it seem like I am inferior in some form—lacking something. Being referred to as blind on the other hand is something totally different. It is what we are, and we are proud and unashamed. What are your thoughts?

Scum Scammers Prey On Those In Search of Dreams

Many of us, especially the blind, are in search of making our lives better. Because fighting for everything can get so exhausting as well as setting up lawsuit cases because we are repeatedly turned away from jobs we are rightly qualified to do take up a lot of time and energy, many of us, myself included, are taking a different approach. We are working from home, starting our own businesses, and joining online companies that have openings for data entry positions. That is all well and good except there are some things I need to let you know from personal experience.

Many of us blind folk are unemployed and living off of benefits. That is not much of a life is it? No! And, because of that, we are constantly trying to make our lives better keeping our dreams in mind. In doing this, we can choose to start our own businesses which unfortunately takes time and money which most of us don’t have to begin with since our benefits are eaten up with bills and the children if any. Or, some of us look for companies online in which they can apply for positions in which they can work at home. Usually today, the work is done online. Others choose to get grant money to start their own businesses. I will be writing a blog on that in the near future for those who wish to take that route. But, here is some information for those who would like to start out by working for another company doing data entry or any other work-at-home company first before taking other steps.

There are many scams out there preying on people’s dreams. What I mean is that they prey on people who are in bad financial situations or who are tired of their current living conditions which, sadly, I do have to say is most of us. So, they write up this exciting ad copy to get the victim interested, and then that person will invest their last dollars—the money they could have used to feed their children or what they could have used to pay off a bill that needs paying—in hopes that the money will grow. All along though, it is a scam and they find out when it is too late. Sad isn’t it? Yes. Preying on the bad situations of others is not only wrong ethically: however, it is also dishonest and will catch up to the one doing this. So, please watch out. Don’t just jump for the first opportunity just because it sounds like a drop of refreshing water to relieve you from your hot financial troubles or bad living standards. Research it down to the very core. If you have an Internet connection, and most of us blind folk do, do research online. If you don’t have an Internet connection, go to the library. Find out which libraries in your area have talking computers. If you don’t have a library in your area with a talking computer suggest that they do it so they may be in compliance with accessibility laws and follow up with them repeatedly while in the meantime, ask a fellow blind friend of yours who has an equip computer if they will allow you to use theirs. I don’t know any blind person who would say no to helping their own kind. Finding ways to get things done is endless. It can be done. And, nobody wants their own kind to get screwed. Here are some ways you can detect when someone is scamming you.

1. If you are applying for a data entry job or any home office position for that matter, don’t give them any up front fees. Nobody has to pay out of their own picket to have a job. The employer pays the employee. It soesn't go the other way around. If they are charging you to work for them, more than likely, they are scamming you. Now, there are services that will offer freelance work for a monthly membership fee, and I have found them to be okay for the simple fact they are putting you in touch with many enabling you find work all in one place employers and most that I have used are legit: but, if a company is asking you to pay to work, run as fast as you can and don’t look back. You should not have to pay to work for someone.
2. If you are thinking of signing up with a service that requires a membership fee, do some research on that company and ask around. You can do that on forums that cater specifically to Internet marketers or freelance workers. There will be a lot of information on the freelance companies that are legit and used by many people. And, if you sign up for the companies that are proven to be true, and they offer additional services that are paid memberships such as a membership to access many type at home jobs, chances are, they are okay to deal with since they are featured on the sites of the legit companies. But, still ask questions to be sure because sometimes, these companies may be there just as advertisements paying the site money and may be total scams. These advertisements are called adsense. these are ads that are on people'sweb sites. Site owners who have these ads have an adsense account which allows them to get paid everytime a site visitor clicks their ad. That is why I strongly urge you to contact even the companies on the site. But, contact the original company that you want to sign up with asking further questions if you have any. If they do not respond to your emails or calls after you have repeatedly contacted them: or, if they avoid or dodge around your questions, get out of there. Chances are they are a scam.
3. If you have gotten answers by email, ask that a number be provided so you can talk to someone further by phone. I always feel better talking to a human body. Be sure to draft up a list of questions you’d like to ask so you can find out all you need to know and be prepared for the phone call. hOwever, if they can't respond to you by phone, break your list into a few questions at a time so as to not confuse the one answering your emails, and make sure they answer them thoroughly. If too many of your questions are dodged, you should stear clear of them.

There is also a site I found online. It is written by a woman sharing her personal experiences. She has a lot to offer on scams because, like me, she has been through it. I’d suggest you read it, especially the information on data entry since those jobs are very popular and the work is endless if you find the right ones. Her site is http://www.friendsinbusiness.com/scams/typing.shtml. I wish you the best, and I thought I’d share this with you all today. Please look forward to my future blogs for they will offer a lot of self help information enabling you to better yourself.

If you are interest in working as a freelance worker and want to find several jobs, go to http://www.homebizproms.com to sign up with Freelance Work Exchange. I am a member there and like it. But, be sure to have a resume tailored to the jobs you’d like to apply for because you’ll need to post it in the resume/details part of the application. Another thing I’d like to let you know is that in the quote for work section of the application, the minimum bid is not fifty dollars. If an employer asks for a quote for hourly work, you can post that quote in that section. Don’t bother submitting a help ticket because more than likely because of the volume of people, they won’t be answered. What I am sharing with you I found out through experimentation. I have learned this myself. So, I hope this helps and don’t be afraid to email me at brorei@aol.com if you have any questions.

Should I Tell Them I Am Blind?

This question has been coming to mind lately simply because of some discrimination I have been receiving. I was on the Warrior Forum which is found at www.warriorforum.com, and I had asked for ways to get more clientele for my web business. Well, it came out that I was blind because I had no shame in telling them. I thought it would be an incredible thing to share. However, things backfired in my face. It all started like this:

1. I started the thread asking for help getting clientele. Most were very nice and helpful. Then, there was one guy who told me that point blank, “Blind people can’t be web designers because it is a visual business.” Trying not to lose my mind, I politely posted back to him that they could and I was living proof. It is hard: but, it can be done if the blind person doing the job knows how to properly utilize assistive technology and has knowledge of how the computer works. And, I'm talking more than just basic knowledge that everyone has. You not only need to know the ins and outs of the computer: but, you need to learn to utilize other software along with a knowledge of html coding.
2. Then, because days leading up to this, people were asking many questions, I decided to start a thread titled, “How Can A Blind Person …” This meant that forum members could ask any questions they wanted. While people asked many questions, I was rudely bashed by a lady in the forum who had a chip on her shoulder. She not only said I could not master the visual aspect of things: but, she heaped insults at me. I then, asked her to stop and told her I would not continue this discussion. Others came to my defense, the thread was locked meaning that nobody could reply or make new posts, and shortly after—two days later—I was deleted from the forum.


So, I thought I’d share this story with you all to raise an important question. Should they know I’m blind? That’s a hard one but here goes what I think.

It would all have to depend on what industry you are in. Sure it is okay to share that you are a blind person doing this work which would in turn make people think you are remarkable. But, there are times I don’t even mention it. For example, I may send press release articles to certain web sites promoting my business. Surely the media will promote that and people will think it is beyond belief that a blind person is doing all of this. Though we blind people know it is not remarkable to have independence, freedom, and a business: but, we have to use other’s ignorance to our advantage. If people want to believe we are so remarkable, then let them. That will give the blind business owner the free publicity needed for business promotion and the fuel needed for company survival.

However, when I am talking to one of my customers, especially in my web designing business, I do not tell them I am blind unless they inquire about it. I'll let my work speak for me: then, after they see what I can do, I'll tell them after the job is done. But, telling them up front will not only have them box you in: but, they will have a wrong judgmental view of you or of what you can do. Why? Simply because you are blind.

I use the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rule. What they don’t ask for should not be revealed thus saving you much discrimination. However, when you have gained much credibility, tell the world about your blindness. But starting out new, especially if you are in the web designing industry, say nothing unless asked. Many people, and I am finding out this myself, will not want a blindnperson to design their site. So, keep in mind that loose lips sank ships, and just be natural. That is helping me.

Then, you may ask yourself how to hide it. First of all, if you utilize jaws, turn your computer all the way down or wear head phones. If you are reading slowly because you have to listen to jaws a few worlds at a time. Let the customer know you are taking a careful look at things. That isn’t a lie, you really are! But, if they hearsomething in the background—your speech software that is—tell them. There is no point in lying because now, they have asked and you should tell. See the point?

I truly hope this has helped out. This is just something to think about. Please post your comments or opinions. All are welcome. You can even if you don’t have a blog account with Blog Spot. Just post as anonymous. Selection that option and you can post a comment if you'd like.