If you run your own company out of your home, an annual contest can provide valuable exposure
Erik Larkin
PC World
Wednesday, August 27, 2008; 12:19 AM
StartupNation, a Web site for entrepreneurs, has begun taking applications for its 2008 Home-Based 100 contest. If you have your own company, the competition affords an opportunity to market yourself - and of course, be marketed to.
I found out about the competition from one of my own home-based business service providers, RingCentral. While there's no material prize for winning, the free advertising from a good ranking could be worth plenty.
Per the site, entrants must be home-based and have a Web site, and "some aspect of your business should fit at least one of the themes of the Top Ten categories." Those categories are:
* Best Financial Performers * Most Innovative * Boomers Back in Business * Greenest * Yummiest * Wackiest * Grungiest * Recession Busters * Most Slacker Friendly * Most Glamorous
You can also take a look at last year's winners and see just how people are making a living doing their own thing, and get quotes from vendors who provide services for home-based businesses. You can't just browse lists of providers, which is a real shame, but instead have to provide your contact info to get quotes/sales pitches.