True job security does not exist. Even government workers, long considered “safe,” have begun to experience the layoffs and uncertainty long common in other fields. Creating new income streams for yourself is prudent, forward thinking and goal-worthy. However, until you are able to be self-sufficient with your MOXIE gig, you don’t want to endanger your day job.

Here are some tips for anyone thinking of starting a business while currently employed:

Do not work on your side job while you are on-the-clock at your full-time job. 
This should go without saying, but depending what you’re trying to do, it can be difficult to accomplish all of the tasks for your business after hours. Use your lunch hour wisely and consider taking advantage of your vacation or leave time to manage important tasks for your side business. Depending on what type of business you are growing, you may find yourself in legal hot water if you planned your successful side gig on company time or property. Be careful not to use any company equipment or resources when you are growing your new business.

Be alert to non-compete rules you may need to consider. 
It’s not wise to grow your side business at work with the plan to steal clients from your existing company and quit, although clearly, people do this all of the time. Ideally, you’ll be able to make a clean break when you are ready and maintain a strong relationship with your current company. In many cases, the company will become your first client, especially if you’re an essential employee.

Don’t ignore the possibility that you can grow a passion or interest business on the side that has nothing to do with your current employer. MOXIEs in that situation often have an easier time maintaining both their 9-to-5 and traditional job.

Never share proprietary information from your current company to grow your own business. 
Can you say, “lawsuit?” You don’t want to launch your new business with the prospect of legal action against you. Be mindful of ethical rules as well as specific guidelines your current company expects you to adhere to so you won’t be in trouble later.

Look for opportunities to learn new things at work to help your future business. 
There’s nothing wrong with volunteering for projects or asking to take classes that may help you in your future endeavors. Be alert to ways that you can put yourself in situations that benefit you as an employee and may also help propel your own business later. It’s up to you to seek out these win-win opportunities. You’ll be glad you did when you’re able to solve a problem on your own or can rely on your past work experiences to handle an issue when you’re working for yourself.

Tap into social networks. 
In Social Networking for Business Success, we explain in-depth how employees can use social media to help them effectively grow their networks and business opportunities. Key things to remember: social media is free, you can use it at all hours of the day or night – including early in the morning and after work hours – and it allows you to easily tap into resources and information that can help you grow your business.

Use tools such as a personal blog, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ to demonstrate your expertise and meet new people. It’s not easy, and there is no magic wand, but you don’t need a million fans; all it takes is a few great contacts who are willing to take a chance on you to launch a new business endeavor.

Save your extra money. 
You may need that income if you unexpectedly need to leave your current job, so if possible, plan to create a fund that will help you more easily leave your day job if that becomes necessary.

Be aware that your successful side business won’t be a secret for long. 
While it’s possible to grow something without people finding out your plans, once you begin to succeed as a MOXIE, expect you’ll need to face your employer and come clean about your moonlighting. Be aware of company policies regarding earning income outside of office hours, and be prepared to answer questions about whether or not you are using company materials or property to grow your side business.

If having a business puts your full-time position in danger, be prepared to face the consequences. You may want to have a heart-to-heart with your boss before people start gossiping about your side gig around the office. Keep in mind, if your side business does not compete or seem to interfere with your day job, you may face no resistance at all. If you are building an empire similar to your current employer’s, and you can’t make a case for how your personal success helps the company, be prepared to be shown the door if your employer accidentally runs across your new website or reads an article about you online.

More advice:
Quitting your job? 10 things to do before you leave
Break out of your job search rut
3 reasons employers won’t hire overqualified candidates

Originally published on AOLJobs.com.

The post How to start a business on the side while working appeared first on Keppie Careers.

This book to show you how to grow your business could not come at a more perfect time. As more and more companies begin to hire freelancers to fill roles that may have gone to full-time employees, many of us cannot expect to rely on landing traditional jobs for our entire careers. This is a challenge most are not prepared to tackle. The solution? You must identify opportunities to create new income streams and learn how to self market or face being eclipsed by people who do.

Social Networking for Business Success provides exactly the information you need to succeed in today’s economy, whether hanging a shingle and running your own business has been a life-long dream or an idea you’ve never considered.

Social media and online tools make it easier than ever to create a profitable business selling goods or services. When used to their potential, these networking resources can help you:

• Demonstrate your expertise.
• Grow your network.
• Learn new things.
• Sell your goods or services.

Grow Your Business

Social Networking for Business Success teaches you how to:

• Connect with people you don’t know and convince them to reach for their wallets.
• Inspire trust, build partnerships and make more money.
• Market and advertise your business without spending a dime.
• Leverage small details that make big differences in online searches.
• Look smarter than your competition and make the best use of your limited time.

Do not get left behind the eight ball; act now to prepare to market your ideas and to run an independent business  to enhance your income opportunities and earning potential. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a business owner who hasn’t ramped up online, yet: this book will help you overcome obstacles to your success and get you on the right path.

Don’t take my word for it! See a sample of reviews from others in the business community about Social Networking for Business Success:

“Starting and running a business is hard work, but never in history has it been so easy to connect with an audience, find a customer, or market your brand. Social media allows anyone to connect with the entire world given a little work and very little money. This book shows you how to do it right.” – David Linton, Owner, Arobase Group, Highest Certified Apple Computer System Expert

“The entire book is filled with common sense easy to apply ideas…if you’re in business you need to get and read this book.” -  Bud Bilanich, The Common Sense Guy, bestselling author

“Filled with strategies and tactics, recommended resources, and helpful tips–this book is a must read for aspiring entrepreneurs.” – Shawn Graham, Small Business Marketing Consultant

If you’ve ever thought about running a business or think it’s time for some new strategies to ramp your existing business up online, we hope you will buy a copy of Social Networking for Business Success. Please help us meet a sales goal by purchasing it from Amazon on our “launch date,” September 3rd — the day after Labor Day.

As a special bonus, we are offering a free Q&A call-in for anyone who purchases the book on September 3rd via Amazon AND a free checklist to help you create a branded bio! All you need to do is order you copy on that day, then click here and fill out the form to access this special offer.

We hope you’re curious enough to check it out. Remember to wait until September 3rd to buy your copy to take advantage of the special free offers. 

So mark your calendar and head over to Amazon on September 3^rd and then sign up for the bonus offers; it’s our special way of saying thank you and celebrating the day after Labor Day.

Join our Small Business Google+ community here.

Or just bookmark our book’s site here.

Please help us spread the word about Social Networking for Business Success! Click here to tweet the news to your community.

The post Grow your business: new book helps you get started online appeared first on Keppie Careers.