Just a few years ago, it was all but impossible for the average home-based entrepreneur to consider such a business. But as computers and modems grew both faster and more affordable, and the Internet made it possible to share information with others from anywhere in the world, the home information brokerage became a reality.
What do you need to become a self-employed information broker? We've already identified some of the basic skills: an interest in research, a skill for sifting through facts and figures, and a talent for finding sources of information. If you've ever worked as a corporate researcher, or have been trained in library science, that's a big plus. Of course a good computer, high-speed modem and access to the necessary databases in your chosen areas of expertise (often available through subscriptions) are also a must.
Who uses information brokers? The clientele runs the gamut from public relations executives and television news producers to university professors and corporations.
Your best bet for marketing yourself is to develop a specialty -- the medical and legal fields are especially good bets -- and target businesses or individuals who are most likely to want to know what you know. It also helps to remember that some of your best potential for business often lies with smaller to medium-size organizations and businesses that need information, but don't have the staff or resources to support a full-time researcher. If you've got the right knowledge, you'll be able to command a sizable rate, often $45 to $100 or more per hour.
Where can you learn more? The professional organization for information brokers is the Association of Independent Information Professionals, 234 West Delaware Ave., Pennington, NJ 08534, (609) 730-8759, (609) 730-8469 (fax), e-mail: aiipinfo@aiip.org.
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