to learn new skills and further your knowledge in areas that you may lack experience in. If you're struggling with social media marketing, do a course with an industry leader. You don't always have to go for the megastars to get results. Courses run in small groups or run by local business trainers could be just what you need if you're looking for one-on-one attention. Local business enterprise organisations and government departments offer affordable, and sometimes free, programs for budding business owners. If you are operating on a shoestring, this should be your first port of call to get you started. If you are serious about making a lifestyle change (which is why most people choose to work from home), then get serious about building a business that gives you the freedom you are longing for. Forget scammy get-rich-quick schemes and internet "business opportunities". Instead, put these two strategies into practice, find something you love doing and do it well! Over to you: What are you doing to ensure you find (and develop) a work-at-home business that works for you? Cas McCullough is passionate about empowering other solo entrepreneurs to drop the sales pitch and harness powerful inbound marketing through her Content Marketing Cardiology blog . Cas is the author of Diving In: Practical Tips for Starting Up and Growing Your Home Based Business. She is also the founder of home-based businesses Mumatopia and Support a Work At Home Person , an 11,000-strong social networking community supporting people who work