If sending messages immediately to a cell phone or pager is required, more reliable protocols are available. When sending text messages, via a modem, Telocator Alphanumeric Protocol (TAP) is extremely dependable, albeit slower due to modem dialing. If sending messages with a high-speed Internet connection use newer time sensitive Internet protocols: Simple Network Paging Protocol (SNPP) and Wireless Communication Transfer Protocol (WCTP). If your carrier supports these protocols they are better options for sending important messages.

If carriers understand "now" generation is about speed and reliability, customer satisfaction will improve. Text messaging is a reliable and useful communication method, especially since voice is not always convenient or possible. With public awareness and urging, carriers will increase their offerings of text messaging protocols. Carriers should offer email or SMTP, but they must also support time sensitive protocols, regardless, of whether protocols are older such as TAP or newer such as WCTP.

Resources - Carriers supporting SNPP - http://www.notepage.net/snpp.htm Carriers supporting WCTP - http://www.notepage.net/wctp.htm

What do I enjoy doing?

What things do you love to do so much that you would probably do them whether there was a profit involved or not? The best place to start with this question is to look at your hobbies. These are often things you pay a fairly significant amount of money to be involved in. Why not check it out to see if you can make a profit at these very same things? Starting a home business can take a lot of time and effort, and having a passion for focus of your business can be a great source of stamina necessary to make it through difficulties in beginning.

What is there a need for?

After you jot down what you are good at and what you love to do, it's time to assess market for these things. Are you always looking for supplies for your hobby, but can't ever seem to find what you need? It's very likely others are having same difficulty, and a home business that supplies this need would be very well received by this segment of market. Or maybe you love to decorate your kids' birthday cakes, and your neighbors would rather pick theirs up at local grocery store but can't stand small selection. This is a market for which you already have skills and interest to meet needs.

-----Side Bar----- If you are planning to do your business entirely on Internet, one great tool you can use to check whether there is market for your idea is Overture Search Term Suggestion Tool: http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/

You simply enter keyword that people might use to search for your product and it'll return number of times that term was searched on last month. Amazing isn't it? -----Side Bar-----

But don't be afraid of markets where you may have some skill, but have a lot to learn. As long as you have willingness to put time and effort into becoming an expert in your niche, you will be able to develop specialization you need to be a leader in market.

Once you answer these questions and find distinct area that will set your business apart from others, you have identified your niche and are ready to develop your home business.