Different people have different reasons for wanting to work from home. It could be to raise kids, avoid politics at the work place, have more flexible hours and freedom or the worry of having no job to go back to when companies cut back.
Small business owners who want to test the market might choose to start work from home to avoid having to pay high rent and salaries.
So if you are contemplating this decision, what are five ways of working from home?
1) Start a Direct Selling Business
Eyes widen and jaws drop when the mere whisper of the word MLM or Network Marketing comes into the conversation. I tried it myself for awhile but unless you have a very thick skin and high determination (plus superb selling skills), you might not last long in the business.
MLM businesses come in all sorts of forms. It could be selling cosmetics, health products or even vacations.
Before you decide which MLM to join, do your research. A lot of network marketing companies (insurance and unit trust is a form of network marketing, by the way) promise the world and have glowing reviews from members who want to share their wealth with you. If the business provides you with great training materials which you can apply even outside the MLM business, there's no harm in trying it out.
Take note, however, that training does not come cheap and will take a lot of time from you.
2) Cooking and Baking
Your friends declare that you are the next Nigella Lawson and if you really enjoy cooking and baking for people, you could consider starting a catering business from home. Before you fire up your oven, though, you need to find out whether you're allowed to cook out of your own kitchen. Many state health departments require any food that's sold to the public to be prepared in a commercial kitchen. If that's the case in your area, you'll have to either bring your own kitchen up to code or rent one near you. Also check with your state, city, and county to find out whether your business will require a food safety and/or catering license, as well as a permit and inspections.
You also need to cover yourself with liability insurance, just in case one of your customers winds up with a bad case of food poisoning after eating your famous oyster casserole.
3) Freelancing
There are companies out there who seek public relations specialists, graphic designers, writers and authors, and tuition teachers.
Freelancing offers consistent opportunities, no matter what the general job outlook. When companies are cash heavy, they have extra work that requires freelance help. When they're cash-strapped, they can't afford to hire full-timers with benefits, so they bring on more affordable freelance workers.
If you're going to freelance in a creative profession, be prepared to show samples of your work. Post your articles or graphic designs on a Web site, or put together a portfolio you can quickly send to prospective freelance employers.
4) Sell online
You love being creative and spend hours sculpting, sewing, making jewellery. There is a market to buy unique/pre-loved items on Etsy and eBay. You just need to post the item and ship it once someone buys. When you sell with an online auction like eBay, it's important to provide excellent customer service. The more positive feedback you receive, the more likely prospective buyers will be to purchase your items.
5) Be a Virtual Assistant
Just like an administrative assistant who works in an office, a virtual assistant handles everything from typing and data entry to answering phones and making travel arrangements. There is also a demand for proofreaders, someone to check emails and reply to them, maintain social media accounts and create marketing campaigns.
All this is done online and there is very little need to meet face-to-face with the client. All you need is a computer with internet, the discipline to adhere to deadlines and make sure you update the client on progress of work being done.
Virtual Assistants who have the eye for detail and great writing and communicating skills tend to earn more when clients request that they work for them exclusively.
CLICK HERE To Be a Virtual Assistant
WORK-AT-HOME SCAMS
"You can make thousands of dollars every week, right from the comfort of your own home!" A search of work-at-home jobs will turn up dozens of promises like this one. Many scammers eager to part you from your money will promise a get-rich-quick job, but only if you pay an upfront fee to buy their training materials. Real jobs never ask for money, and they don't request personal information like your Social Security number until you're ready to sign a contract. To avoid Internet scammers, check with the Better Business Bureau before you say yes. And watch out for these common work-at-home scams: envelope stuffing, assembly work, rebate processing, online searches and medical billing.
Small business owners who want to test the market might choose to start work from home to avoid having to pay high rent and salaries.
So if you are contemplating this decision, what are five ways of working from home?
1) Start a Direct Selling Business
Eyes widen and jaws drop when the mere whisper of the word MLM or Network Marketing comes into the conversation. I tried it myself for awhile but unless you have a very thick skin and high determination (plus superb selling skills), you might not last long in the business.
MLM businesses come in all sorts of forms. It could be selling cosmetics, health products or even vacations.
Before you decide which MLM to join, do your research. A lot of network marketing companies (insurance and unit trust is a form of network marketing, by the way) promise the world and have glowing reviews from members who want to share their wealth with you. If the business provides you with great training materials which you can apply even outside the MLM business, there's no harm in trying it out.
Take note, however, that training does not come cheap and will take a lot of time from you.
2) Cooking and Baking
Your friends declare that you are the next Nigella Lawson and if you really enjoy cooking and baking for people, you could consider starting a catering business from home. Before you fire up your oven, though, you need to find out whether you're allowed to cook out of your own kitchen. Many state health departments require any food that's sold to the public to be prepared in a commercial kitchen. If that's the case in your area, you'll have to either bring your own kitchen up to code or rent one near you. Also check with your state, city, and county to find out whether your business will require a food safety and/or catering license, as well as a permit and inspections.
You also need to cover yourself with liability insurance, just in case one of your customers winds up with a bad case of food poisoning after eating your famous oyster casserole.
3) Freelancing
There are companies out there who seek public relations specialists, graphic designers, writers and authors, and tuition teachers.
Freelancing offers consistent opportunities, no matter what the general job outlook. When companies are cash heavy, they have extra work that requires freelance help. When they're cash-strapped, they can't afford to hire full-timers with benefits, so they bring on more affordable freelance workers.
If you're going to freelance in a creative profession, be prepared to show samples of your work. Post your articles or graphic designs on a Web site, or put together a portfolio you can quickly send to prospective freelance employers.
4) Sell online
You love being creative and spend hours sculpting, sewing, making jewellery. There is a market to buy unique/pre-loved items on Etsy and eBay. You just need to post the item and ship it once someone buys. When you sell with an online auction like eBay, it's important to provide excellent customer service. The more positive feedback you receive, the more likely prospective buyers will be to purchase your items.
5) Be a Virtual Assistant
Just like an administrative assistant who works in an office, a virtual assistant handles everything from typing and data entry to answering phones and making travel arrangements. There is also a demand for proofreaders, someone to check emails and reply to them, maintain social media accounts and create marketing campaigns.
All this is done online and there is very little need to meet face-to-face with the client. All you need is a computer with internet, the discipline to adhere to deadlines and make sure you update the client on progress of work being done.
Virtual Assistants who have the eye for detail and great writing and communicating skills tend to earn more when clients request that they work for them exclusively.
CLICK HERE To Be a Virtual Assistant
WORK-AT-HOME SCAMS
"You can make thousands of dollars every week, right from the comfort of your own home!" A search of work-at-home jobs will turn up dozens of promises like this one. Many scammers eager to part you from your money will promise a get-rich-quick job, but only if you pay an upfront fee to buy their training materials. Real jobs never ask for money, and they don't request personal information like your Social Security number until you're ready to sign a contract. To avoid Internet scammers, check with the Better Business Bureau before you say yes. And watch out for these common work-at-home scams: envelope stuffing, assembly work, rebate processing, online searches and medical billing.
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