The idea of working from home as a way to earn extra income, or to replace a current income, is one that is gaining popularity. Rising costs of child care, transportation, and other expenses associated with employment make working from home a welcome alternative.

Most people believe, however, that all work from home opportunities are a scam. Because of this belief, individuals that are searching for ways to earn an additional income, or simply work from home full time, do not pursue any opportunities they come across out of fear of being scammed.

The truth is that there are many legitimate opportunities for people to work from home. Most of these opportunities can be done over the Internet, and most pay as well as their land-based versions.

The trick to finding these opportunities is knowing the difference between the scams and legitimate positions.

Spotting A Scam

As a general rule, any work at home offer that requires you to pay for employment is a scam. Employers do not require you to pay when you work at their business, and they do not require you to pay when you work from home.

Offers that come via e-mail are generally a scam. Opportunities that claim you can make large sums of money for little work are also a scam. As a rule, always remember that work at home positions pay very similar to their office based counterparts.

Finding Legitimate Work

Work at home opportunities often fall under the following categories:

• Customer Service Representatives
• Telemarketing
• Freelance Writer
• Online Juror
• Survey Taker or Panelist
• Craft or Homemade Product Sales
• Online Guide
• Virtual Assistant
• On Call Nurse
• Online Tutor

To perform most of these job functions you will need:

• A quiet space to work in your home
• A computer with high speed Internet access
• Updated word processing software
• Dedicated landline (for some Customer Service positions)

Customer Service Representatives

Many major retailers hire home-based customer service representatives. If you have ever called an online retailer for assistance, there is a very good chance that you were speaking to someone that was working from home.

Alpine Access (www.alpineaccess.com) is one of the leading employers for home based customer service reps. This company currently employs over 7,500 home based employees and is one of the few companies that provide benefits and 401k plans to their employees. Most work at home positions are considered self-employment, so finding a company that has benefits is an additional bonus.

On average, employees working for Alpine Access make around $9 an hour to answer calls. However, bonuses and incentives are available and many employees make $20 or more per hour. Alpine is an in-bound only position, so there is never any cold calling required.

Other companies that offer Customer Service positions include:

• www.WestatHome.com
• www.LiveOps.com
• www.ACDDirect.com
• www.WorkingSolutions.com
• www.Arise.com

Telemarketing

Telemarketing is a very large business, but it is also one that requires much patience. All that is required to be a telemarketer is a pleasant speaking voice and tolerance for rude people. It is inevitable that you will encounter rude people on the phone.

Telemarketers usually call people to inform them about new products, carry out promotions or schedule appointments. While many people consider these phone calls a nuisance, it is still the most effective way to gain new customers for many businesses.

Telemarketers are paid hourly and often receive bonuses for their performance. The three largest companies that hire home-based telemarketers are:

• www.West.com
• www.Telereach.com
• www.Intrep.com

You can apply for a position directly on each of their websites.

Remember: Telemarketing companies should never charge you to be an employee, for your leads or any information or tools required to perform your job.

Freelance Writer

The Internet is often referred to as the Information Super Highway because of the vast amounts of data that can be found on any subject. All of this data has one thing in common however, it all needed to be written by somebody.

Freelance writing is one of the fastest growing segments of the work-at-home industry. The need for web content continues to grow exponentially, and with it the need for writers.

There are several types of writing assignments that can be found online. Product reviews, site content, answer forums, and technical writing assignments are just a few of the many opportunities. In addition to these writing services, many writers can also find work-at-home opportunities in editing.

Current companies that are seeking freelance writers and editors include:

• www.textbroker.com

Most positions pay either per article written or an average of $15 per hour.

Online Juror

Law offices often create mock trials to see if their case is presentable to a jury. These mock trials need mock jurors. After listening to the evidence and the arguments, mock jurors deliver a “verdict” on the case. Law firms look at the results and adjust their case accordingly.

Mock jurors can make between $5 and 50 per case. However, because jurors are selected by specific demographics, work is not constant. This is a great opportunity to make extra money by giving your honest opinion. The two online juror sites are:

• www.eJury.com
• www.OnlineVerdict.com

Survey Taker or Panelist

Research and development is the most important part of product development. Companies devote a significant amount of time determining if a new product will be accepted by the public, and what demographics they should target with their advertising.

In the past, many companies would have individuals polling people over the telephone or in shopping malls. This process was very time consuming, and in many cases the results were skewed. The Internet, however, has opened up a new avenue of gathering people’s opinions on a product or service. This new format has been so effective for these companies that they are willing to pay to have the information.

Online surveys takers can make extra spending cash each month by spending a couple of hours online each week completing surveys. Some of the more popular sites include:

• www.mysurvey.com
• www.surveyhead.com
• www.globaltestmarket.com
• www.surveyspot.com

Craft and Homemade Item Sales

It is not unusual for someone to enjoy creating crafts as a hobby or a form of relaxation. Many crafters have discovered now that their hobbies can lead to a second income. Handmade crafts are very popular on the Internet, and crafters can benefit from the worldwide market place.

Some crafters establish their own websites and promote their items through various methods on the Internet. Others use craft marketplaces to promote their goods.

www.Etsy.com is the largest marketplace currently on the Internet for handmade items. The site is free to join, and craft items can be posted to “individual” stores for an incredibly low fee of .20 per item. When the item sells, Etsy will receive a small percentage of the sale. The site currently has over 10,000 artisans listed and they are continuing to grow.

www.eBay.com is another site where people may wish to showcase their items. However, eBay is an auction site and in many cases crafters cannot earn as much off of their items as they could from a site like Etsy.

Online Guide

This work at home position is very specific to the Internet. If you are the type of person that someone comes to when they have a problem, and you are able to help in most cases, this may be the perfect online job for you.

An online guide is someone that provides assistance to others who are looking for information on the Internet. The advice can be anything from how to make the perfect meatloaf to advice about a product or service.

Online guides need to be able to communicate well and should possess some writing skills. Several sites are looking for freelance guides, including:

• About.com, Visit beaguide.about.com to see what areas of expertise are still available on their site.
• www.Chacha.com This new search engine is currently hiring guides. Visit the main site and click on the “Be A Guide” link
• www.Justanswer.com This site pays a specific amount for the amount of questions that you answer

Guides that work for About.com make about $750 a month, often more. The more you interact with this position, the higher your potential is for earning.

Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are the second fastest growing work at home profession after freelance writers. Virtual assistants, or VA’s, provide a variety of services for management positions in every type of company. A VA will do everything from making travel arrangements to compiling mailing list for their executive.

A virtual assistant performs the same duties that an executive assistant does, only from their home. VA’s make a comparable income to their office bound counter parts, and in many cases have the ability to work for more than one executive.

Unlike other positions, a VA may have some startup costs associated with entering this profession. Since you will be communicating with your executive via phone or Internet at all times, you may need to invest into a webcam and an Internet capable phone. The good news is that most people already have these items, and the startup costs are relatively low.

To find legitimate virtual assistant positions you can apply at:

• www.TeamDoubleclick.com
• www.VirtualAssistantJobs.com

On Call Nurse

Registered nurses can supplement their income by offering their services over the phone for triage or other medical information. You may be providing information about medications for a pharmaceutical company, or answering questions for a insurance company. You must be a registered nurse to apply.

• www.FoneMed.com

Online Tutor

If you hold a college degree, and feel you have the ability to teach basic subjects such as math, science, social studies or English, you can work as an online tutor. This is a perfect opportunity for teachers and other professionals looking for additional income.

Once you have been accepted and have passed your probationary period, you can expect to earn between $10 and 14 per hour for your tutoring services.

• www.Tutor.com

There are literally millions of work at home jobs on the market, many of them sitting unfilled. If you are interested in working from home, you can find a job that will allow you to earn a living while enjoying more time to spend with family, participate in your own hobbies and enjoy your life. If you are ready to enjoy the shortest commute ever, work from the comfort of your home office and take charge of your career, a work at home job may be the answer.

Learn to Spot Opportunities

The first step in securing a great work at home job is learning to spot work from home opportunities and avoid scams. There are a few ways to spot scams. First, legitimate work at home companies will not contact you to offer you a job. As with any traditional job, you must first go through an application process and be offered a job. Offers that come to you unsolicited in your email are almost always scams. Another way to spot a scam is with a quick review of their website. Companies that promise huge payoffs overnight, outrageous wages or money for little to no work are usually scams. A website that makes you pay for lists of work at home opportunities is usually a scam.

Once you have spotted and avoided the scams, you can search for opportunities for paid work from home. Many airlines, travel sites and hotels hire reservations sales agents to work from home. Customer service jobs are some of the most common types of work at home jobs, so search these first. Start by going to the careers section of these companies’ websites and scouring opportunities to work from home. Often these companies will specify that they offer telecommute positions.

In many cases, some workers start out by working for a traditional office and later gain the opportunity to work from home from their employer. If there is an opportunity to take work home, you may be able to convince your employer to allow you to work from home, saving the company money.

Be Qualified for the Job

One of the most common misconceptions about work at home jobs is that anyone with a computer can perform them. This is simply not true. As with any job, you must meet the qualifications of the position. Most customer service jobs will require that you have a background in customer service, client relations or in an administrative capacity. Make sure your resume reflects your relevant experience.

In addition to the background requirements for the job, you must also meet the requirements for working from home. Most companies will require you to have a reliable internet connection (no dial-up), a dedicated landline phone, a certain browser and a quiet background. Others require you to agree not to be the primary caregiver to any dependents while you are working. Some may require a certain typing speed or the ability to multi-task using a chat screen and typing. Make sure you meet the requirements before applying to avoid wasting time on lengthy job applications.

Be Prepared to Interview

When you are applying for a work at home job, you will have to complete an interview process. This process is similar to an interview for a traditional job, although it will probably take place over the phone. Be prepared to discuss your skills, your expectations for the job and answer questions. Many people who interview for work at home positions wear interview clothing when participating in their phone interview. Make sure you are in an environment free of distractions and have a copy of your resume handy.

Search for Multiple Jobs

The more jobs you search and apply for, the better chances you have at securing the right opportunity. There are many companies that are hiring for work at home agents. Save your application information to your computer to avoid having to type the same information over and over. Create a different resume for each industry you are applying for to highlight individual skills relevant to the position. Track your application status with each company and follow up with the hiring manager to make sure your application was received and processed.

There are many work from home jobs available for those who are looking for jobs with security, great pay and flexibility. If you are searching for a position from home, treat your search as thought were a part time job. Keep track of your applications and follow up. The right work from home opportunity is out there waiting for you.

Refinishing furniture is not a hobby that you can pick up over the weekend, but if you already know how to refinish furniture or are willing to invest the time and energy in taking classes or apprenticing with an experienced woodworker, then you can start a business from your home refinishing furniture. From stripping away old varnish to reupholstering antique sofas, your home based furniture refinishing and restoration business can thrive while allowing you to set your own hours while you work from home.

Furniture Refinishing Appeals To Do-It-Yourselfers & Antique Collectors

Refinishing and restoring furniture can mean a whole host of different processes that can be used for furniture ranging from thrift store bargains to priceless heirloom antiques. You may have customers interested in having pieces of unfinished furniture stained and varnished so that they match the rest of the furniture in a specific room. Other customers may want to have an expensive antique sofa or chair reupholstered with replacement fabric following damage or perhaps to match a decorating scheme.

Damage, whether it is from a leaking ceiling, careless cigarette butts or just years of use, may be one of the biggest drives of income to your furniture refinishing and restoring business. Many of your customers may need you to do seemingly simple repairs, such as replacing the broken chair legs on a dining room chair so that it matches the rest of the set or even recaning the entire chair bottom. Being familiar with a wide variety of carpentry techniques is essential for success in repairing these often unique pieces. Remember, when a piece of furniture is an heirloom item your clients are much more likely to be sensitive to any error on your part.

Thrift store shoppers and flea market hunters are less likely to snap at you over sentimental value, but they are just as attuned to the potential value that your handiwork can add or detract from their piece of furniture. Because an error on your part could potentially destroy a client’s piece of furniture, you must be confident that you are using the right chemicals and tools at all times.

Few Quality Furniture Restorers Can Mean Great Income…

Because of how crucial high quality work is in restoring furniture, having a great reputation in your field is even more paramount than in many others. Once you have cemented your personal brand as someone who has a comprehensive knowledge of refinishing and restoring furniture you will enjoy a great income and little competition, since there are few high quality professionals in this field.

Getting that great reputation is probably the hardest part of owning a furniture refinishing and restoring business. If you are able to work as an apprentice to a master craftsman in this area, this can help you to establish yourself. Depending on your state’s laws and regulations you may be required to work as an apprentice in order to become licensed. Having the required license is mandatory if you want to instill confidence in your work in your potential clients.

Sand Away Home Refinishing And Restoring Business Challenges

Like any industry, restoring and refinishing furniture has its own unique challenges. In the beginning of your career restoring and refinishing furniture you may have difficulty accurately pricing the work that you do for your clients. A good idea is to benchmark your competition to see if your prices are in line with them each quarter.

Remember, the price that you quote to your client should include the cost of the materials that you will use directly on the project, such as varnish and stain, as well as indirect materials, like a portion of the cost of the utilities used for your shop. Do not forget to pay yourself by including a calculation for labor, as well as a small cushion for any unexpected delays due to additional challenges that occur. It is a bad business practice to change the price for the project after the customer has already agreed to an initial amount unless there are extraordinary circumstances, so take the time to examine the piece of furniture in question before quoting a price and include a 5% cushion in case you miss anything minor.

Refinishing and restoring furniture means that you are being trusted with someone’s heirloom or being paid to increase the value of someone’s bargain find. It may be tempting to use lower grade materials in order to cut your costs and increase your bottom line. In the end, though, the poor presentation will show and your home business will suffer when you lose clients and income in the future.

The minute that you decide that you want to work from home as a business owner, freelancer, or home based employee, the scam artist’s rise to attention. Perhaps it is a “disturbance in the force.” Whatever the reason, scam artists are out there promising you the world and offering nothing but grief in return.

The minute that you use a search engine to find out information on working from home, starting a business or finding work as a telecommuter, the word is out and you will begin to be bombarded with offers you may find hard to refuse. Knowing what these scams are will help you avoid the headache of being taken in by one of these offers.

Fun and Easy

The minute that a business is guaranteed to be Fun and Easy, is the minute that you should navigate away from the offer. When you own a business it may be rewarding and even fun, but it is never easy. Owning a business requires dedication and hard work, even when you are doing it from the comfort of your own home.

Two of the biggest offenders that fall under this category are envelope stuffing and rebate processing. Both of these “businesses” are exactly the same, just under different names. The company will tell you that you can make $100 for every envelope you stuff or rebate you process. Sadly this is the truth which is why they can advertise these businesses in this manner. What they do not tell you, however, is what it takes to process a rebate or stuff an envelope.

First you will have a cost to join their program and purchase your supplies. You will then need to spend countless hundreds of dollars placing ads just like the one you answered and hope someone responds like you did. When they do you “stuff the envelope” and are your fee. With rebate processing you are required to promote products at very high prices, and if someone buys the product you can purchase it from the manufacturer with the rebate at a discounted price and keep the difference of the sale.

The Perfect Job For You – No Experience Necessary

While there are some legitimate jobs that may not require any training or experience to perform, most will require you to have some knowledge of the industry. Think about it, do you really want to invest your time and money into a business you do not know anything about? The truthful answer is: No. Many people are so adamant about working from home or starting their own business that they will overlook their gut feeling and fall into one of these scams.

One popular scam that falls under this category is at home assembly. The company tells you that you do not need any experience or mechanical skills. All you need to do is assemble simple electronics or craft items and submit them for payment. They tell you that these items only take a few minutes to make, and they promise very high hourly rates.

When you accept the opportunity you are required to place a “deposit” down on your materials. They politely tell you that it is for their own protection in case you do not return the completed items. In truth, this is where they make their money.

Once you send in your craft or electronic for approval it never is approved. You are never paid because your product can never pass quality control. You will eventually get tired of sending in samples and have them reject them and give up. You will never receive your “deposit” back.

The Information You Need – All You Pay Is Shipping And Handling

How this scam continues in the Information Age is a mystery, but it is still thriving. People searching for work at home opportunities often become so passionate about wanting to work from home that they will make a poor decision and pay for free information.

You have seen the advertisements: “Free Government Grants For Business Start Up – Free Book only pay shipping and handling.” While this is just a made up title, the jist of the point has been made.

This is the information age. If there are companies advertising for work at home employees, it is on the Internet for free. If the government is giving out grant money, it is on a government web site. If there is information that every business owner must know, it is on the Internet at no charge.

Last Thought

When it comes to any business or work opportunity that you are offered, think twice before accepting the offer. Do a little research on the company or product. Trust your instincts. If something is telling you it is wrong, it most likely is a scam.

Owning your own business or working from home as a freelance professional is a goal that many people wish to achieve. In fact, nearly 40% of all people asked in a recent business survey stated that they would love to start their own business and work from home.

Many people have put off starting a home based business because of the shaky economy, but this really is not a good excuse. Many successful businesses were started during poor economies, and on a shoestring budget. In fact, most of the major computer corporations that are out there today were started in a garage or basement.

If you are ready to take the step from employee to business owner, the following 7 tips should help you make the transition smoothly.

1. If Possible, Keep Working Your Job For A While. If it is at all possible you should continue to work your current job while you are establishing your company. As a general rule, it will take 18-36 months for your business to become fully established and self-sufficient. While this rule is not written in stone and profit can be made quicker, when you are planning your business you should keep this rule in mind. Having a guaranteed paycheck while you are establishing your business greatly reduces the amount of stress you will endure during the start-up process of your business.
2. Be Passionate About Your Business. You should avoid starting a business that you are not passionate about. If you start a business because it was recommended as a high-profit business, and not because you believe in the product or service, you may not make it through the start-up stage. A product or service that you are not passionate about is easier to walk away from when times are hard than one you feel strongly about.
3. Only Listen To Experience. When you decide to start a business the first thing that you will notice is that everyone has advice to give you. You will also notice that most of this advice is negative and when given is meant to be “truthful” but it is really a form of discouragement. Why this happens, no one really knows. It is possible that your success scares them, or they just have negative personalities. Whatever the case, you should only listen to advice from someone that has experience in what they are talking about.
4. Create A Business Plan. A business is only as good as its plan. It is that simple. You may have a million things rolling around in your head, but they do absolutely nothing for creating your business. A business plan helps you establish a map for success. In your plan you will include everything from what you intend to sell, who your competition is, and what your marketing strategy will be for the company. You can use the plan to establish goals for the company and yourself. Any company that does not have a business plan is just a hobby.
5. Customer Service Matters. When it comes right down to it, consumers buy from people that they like. It is that simple. If they like you, they will use your products. If you are an online business the theory still applies. They must feel comfortable using your service and your products. They must feel that they can relate to you on a personal level. You do not need to make them feel “special” you need to make them feel “real.” You need to make them feel their needs are a general concern to you, and they will respond accordingly. When you fail to connect with the consumer in this manner you will have a harder time establishing your company.
6. Don’t Go Into Debt. Start your business with the resources that you have, do not borrow money unless it is very necessary. This is another reason to continue working while you are becoming established. It may take you a little longer to establish your company in this manner, but it is also a way to do it without a lot of expenses hanging over your head. Companies that do not have a lot of debt to repay grow faster and experience a profit faster. Once you have become established and can show a profit you can search for financing for larger projects, but try to avoid this at all costs at first.
7. Networking Matters. Have you ever heard the old cliché “It’s who you know?” There is so much truth behind this saying that it is a shame it is a cliché. Networking online and offline is crucial for the success of any company. Word-of-mouth advertising and support is the best form of marketing that you will ever create for your company. Interact on social network forums that relate to your business or industry. Become involved in the local business community. Participate in charity events. Every one of these actions presents you an opportunity to introduce yourself and your business to someone new. You never know when you are going to come face-to-face with your largest client.

If you have joined the many people who have gotten off the work treadmill and decided to work from home, you are in good company. The work at home movement is growing at an exponential rate, with the economy causing many businesses to cut costs by sending their employees home to work. Working from home can be very rewarding. There are, however, many misconceptions that are associated with working from home. Debunking these myths is the first step in making others take your work seriously

Myth #1: You’re Not Really Working

The most common misconception about at home workers is that they don’t do any actual work. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many industries, from hospitality to tourism and e-commerce employ at home workers to fill orders, make reservations and handle customer complaints. Most airlines and hotels hire their reservations sales agents on an at-home basis. At home workers often do more work than those in traditional offices. They spend less time on time-wasters such as unproductive meetings, idle chatting, coffee breaks, web surfing and distracting co-workers. At home workers may work fewer hours but get far more work done than they could in a traditional office. To debunk this myth, explain to people your job description and examples of any goals you have achieved.

Myth #2: You Don’t Earn “Real” Money

Many at home workers are paid electronically through an online payment processing service. For this reason, many people mistakenly believe that people who work from home aren’t paid “real” money. Some workers have to constantly explain that “online money” is real, tangible tender that can be used to buy groceries, pay rent and invest. This misconception is a hard one to fight, as most people are used to being paid with a paper check and don’t understand how online payment gateways work. Sites such as PayPal offer a debit card that employees can use to receive their earnings. Debunking this myth requires an explanation of what a payment gateway is and how they work.

Myth #3: You’re Available During the Day

This is arguably one of the most difficult myths to combat if you are an at home worker or run a work from home business. People assume that because you are at home during the day that you are free to do whatever you want. This is often not the case. In most cases, if you work in customer service, you are tethered to the computer with a headset or a chat window. In other cases, you may be required to be visible on a video conferencing program.

To combat the idea that you are free during the day, keep regular office hours and let family and friends know that you are at work during those hours. Keep an office in your home that is separate from other living areas, preferably a room with a door. Answer calls with your company name to signal to callers that you are not free to chat. Don’t do favors for others that you wouldn’t be able to do if you were working in a traditional office. This will obliterate the myth that you are just hanging out around the house doing nothing all day.

Myth #4: You’re Not Running a Real Business

Some people have very strongly ingrained ideas about what a business should look like. Many expect a storefront or an office when thinking of what makes a business legitimate. Branding yourself or your work at home business will give you a big business feel on a small business budget.

Create a professional website that will attract customers and give the impression that you are a capable business. Use a virtual office as your mailing address instead of your home address. If you do use your home address, use the word “suite” instead of apartment when corresponding with clients.

Create a dedicated phone line that will only be used for business and answer it in your company’s name. Some work at home businesses sign up with a 1-800 service that patches calls through from a toll-free number directly to their home or cell phone. A toll free number will give you instant credibility and you will be seen as a serious business.

Myth #5: Working from Home is Easy

Working from home is flexible, rewarding and profitable, but it is not a walk in the park. At home workers face the same problems that traditional workers face, with a few more that are unique to working at home. Problems with management, scheduling issues and miscommunication is part of the job when you telecommute. In addition, isolation, misconceptions from others and loneliness can make working from home difficult. While working from home confers many benefits, it is still work.

Many work at home jobs require you to be at your computer for a set amount of time without interruption. Other companies monitor your work and productivity, making sure that you are available during work hours.

Working from home is a great way to earn a living. By fighting common myths, you will enjoy support of family and friends.

Across the country, many people are discovering the world of working from home. There are a wide range of work at home careers, from customer service agents, to graphic designers, writers and small business owners. These workers enjoy the comfort of working from their home offices, the freedom to write their own paycheck and own their own time. There are many tools on the market designed to make working from home simpler.

Online Time Sheets

One of the main problems that at home workers experience is how to effectively track their time. There are online time tracking programs that will keep track of hours worked, clients served and projects completed. Most of these programs are free. You can also download them to your computer and print them for better record-keeping. Tracking time is an essential function of any at home worker. It can be easy to waste time on distractions that subtract from your profits. Time tracking software is one of the must-have tools for any work from home office.

Online Stopwatch

A must-have for writers and professionals who bill on an hourly basis, an online stopwatch is a helpful tool for your work at home toolkit. An online stopwatch will allow you to track exactly how much time you are devoting to each project and help you to avoid distraction. Set the stopwatch with an alarm that will signal when it is time to start and stop working.

Many at home workers get distracted by checking email, responding to new clients and surfing the web. For the at home worker who is in charge of his working time, these activities can cost big time in lost profits. An online stopwatch will keep you on track and allow you to see exactly how much time you are spending on each project.

Skype

This video sharing software is a necessity for many people who telecommute or work at home from a larger company. Skype allows you to instantly connect face-to-face with your coworkers, clients and customers. Many companies that hire at-home customer service agents require their workers to install this video-sharing software to their computers to interact with customers face to face.

In fact, one car rental giant hire at home workers to service customers that walk into their offices. The virtual customer service agent is no longer an anonymous voice over the phone. Skype and other video conferencing services are the wave of the future and are a great addition to your work from home toolbox.

Background Noise Programs

One of the main complaints that at home workers make is that their home offices are too quiet. When clients call, it is obvious that they are working from home because the there is none of the typical office background noise. In some cases, there are children playing, dogs barking and televisions blaring in the background. This is unprofessional and can cost you a position with your work from home firm. The solution? A CD or computer file that fills in the silence with the typical office sounds.

An office sounds program will give callers the impression you are in the middle of a crowded office. Activate your program when a call comes in, and your caller will hear typing on keyboards, phones ringing, fax machines and ambient office noise. These programs will greatly help your sales and boost your reputation as a professional at home worker.

Co-working Offices

Many work at home business owners conduct their sales from their kitchen table. While this is a great cost-saving measure, it can be an impediment to new business. Many small business owners are not comfortable bringing new clients into their homes, and meeting at coffee shops can be noisy and distracting. A co-working office is a temporary office space that can be used as needed. Rent space by the day or hour, and project a professional image to new clients and customers. Enjoy a prestigious address, a dedicated receptionist and conference room capabilities. There are co-working offices in almost every major city, and you can usually rent one quickly and easily. An office away from home is a great addition to your work at home toolbox.

Online Fax Service

If you don’t want to invest in a fax machine, an online fax program will work wonders for your work at home business or job. Send and receive faxes directly from your computer. Print out only the faxes you need, saving on printing and ink costs. With an online fax service, you can check your faxes from any computer, giving you the added convenience of being in touch even when you are away from your office.

Working from home can be rewarding, fun and profitable. By having the right tools at your disposal, you will save time, money and headaches. Add these essential tools to your work at home toolbox and make your work life easier.

From the outside, working from home can appear to be an ideal situation. No strict work hours, a more relaxed dress code and no rush-hour traffic to fight. But the reality of working from home can present many unique pitfalls that often stand in the way of success. Whether you are considering a work from home job or have already taken that step, it is best to know the obstacles you may be facing. Here are some common work from home pitfalls and tips on how to avoid them.

Too Many Interruptions

Unlike traditional work settings, a home can be a source of unending interruptions. Your spouse may have a question about the bills, your child just spilled a cup of juice on the sofa or your neighbor stops by for a chat even though you are only hours away from meeting a deadline. All too often, these interruptions can lead to unproductive work schedules and a lack of focus. Unless they are kept to a bare minimum you will find yourself constantly struggling to get your work completed.

Tip: Set clear rules with family members, neighbors and friends about interruptions during your working hours. They need to understand that the part of your home you have designated as your workspace is a place of business and needs to be treated as such. While this will not stop all interruptions, it will narrow them down to only the ones that are truly important.

People Don’t Take You Seriously

Even though home based jobs and businesses are some of the fastest growing employment sectors in the present economy, many people still have difficulty taking them seriously. This is usually due to a mindset stuck in traditional job choices and the stereotypes about home based work due to the many scams now populating the Internet. It is not uncommon when someone announces their choice to work from home to be met with disbelieving stares or questions about their plans for landing a “real” job. Eventually, this can lead to feelings of insecurity about working from home and a sharp drop in professional self-esteem.

Tip: Regardless of what others think, you have to constantly think of yourself as a legitimate business professional. Be tough, stay confident and reflect your professionalism in even the smallest details. A good example is having a telephone number dedicated strictly to business use. The quickest way to not be taken seriously is to have a potential client call what they think is a business number only to have a child answer in an unprofessional manner.

Loneliness

Working from home can often be a very isolating career choice. There are no longer co-workers to chat with about the latest gossip, no boss pushing you to complete a task ahead of deadline and no one to pat you on the back for a job well done. After a while, this isolation leaves many people feeling depressed and detached from the world around them.

Tip: Make it a priority to schedule times for being around people. This could include going to lunch with an old friend, attending community meetings or making a trip to the mall for some shopping. Regardless of the location, the important point is to find regular ways for interacting with others. Doing so will improve your spirit and isolate any feelings of loneliness.

Unsteady Incomes

Many home based jobs come with the reality of feast-or-famine incomes. There are no guaranteed paychecks, no sick days and no company retirement plans to borrow against. Compounding this problem is the lack of credit extended by banks to people working from home. For anyone used to being paid on either a salaried or hourly basis, not having steady incomes can be very disconcerting.

Tip: Accept that your incomes may be unsteady and plan accordingly. Working from home takes a thick skin and, in many cases, a sense of humor. When the money is coming in, put some aside for a rainy day. In the long run, if you work hard and stay positive the incomes will usually become much more steady.

Burnout

While working from home offers a lot of scheduling flexibility, it is also a situation that can easily lead to burnout. With the office always just a few steps away seven days a week, the tendency for becoming a workaholic all too often is the norm instead of the exception. This, unfortunately, is why burnout is the number one problem faced by those who work from home.

Tip: Schedule daily breaks and regular days off without exception. The only way to avoid burnout is to take care of yourself first. Not doing so will only lead to constant exhaustion and a decrease in your productivity.

Home businesses have been viable for quite some time, even stretching back a few decades into the 20th century. But despite their availability, they have never been as popular as they currently are. Home businesses have caught fire in the past half-decade as more and more Americans are finding it impossible to get a raise at work, while others are finding it impossible to stay employed during the worst economy in 80 years. Still others have turned to home business ownership as the only way to regain employment after a tough layoff amid nearly 10 percent unemployment.

With all of these dark economic clouds, there are a few home business ideas that stand above the rest as viable alternatives to traditional employment, or state-paid unemployment, or a dead-end job tied to a stagnant annual salary.

Become a Virtual Assistant

It’s far easier for a large company to hire a virtual assistant than it is for them to hire a traditional administrative or executive assistant. This is because a virtual assistant is considered an independent contractor or a freelancer, meaning the hiring company does not have to pay for retirement benefits, health care benefits, or an employee pension. That saves them a serious amount of money each time they pay their virtual employees, but gives them more than enough financial leeway to pay these people a respectable, living wage.

Virtual assistants do just about everything a typical administrative assistant would do, but they do it from home. They’re responsible for setting up appointments, calling clients and customers, printing and faxing documents, maintaining the company’s books, communicating with management and executives about changes to their schedules, and many other tasks performed on a daily basis in an office. They’ll require a solid home office setup with all of the right tools: phones, computers, printers, scanners, and faxes.

Home Staging as a Source of Income

Another great way to either earn extra income, or generate a healthy annual salary, is to participate in the increasingly popular art of staging a home. America’s economic downturn has meant more and more foreclosures; conversely, it has meant that many people are now pursuing these foreclosures as home purchasing options. These homes are typically far cheaper than non-foreclosures, but they still must be made to look like their more expensive counterparts.

That’s where a home staging professional comes in: they install furniture, rugs, accessories, lighting, and accents that show off a home’s appeal and persuade consumers to purchase. And this business can be operated from home for much of the time, except for when the actual staging is taking place. They’ll collect a handsome per-home salary while developing real estate and interior design contacts that may be quite useful when the economy recovers.

Internet Marketing is a Burgeoning Business

One of the main problems facing marketing professionals is that their field is very over saturated. Marketing was among the most popular college majors for much of the past two decades, with many of those students going on to gain their MBA degrees and find a job helping companies market their extensive line of products. As the economy has forced companies to cut back their product lines, as well as their staff, the marketing profession has seen its unemployment rate skyrocket.

The good news is that these professionals can now work from home in what is known as “internet marketing.” They will put their skills to work as they independently contract with websites and online retailers and help them target their products and services to a desired demographic. The work is largely on a freelance basis, but it’s a great way to gain valuable experience even as the economy has been cruel to traditional marketing jobs. And when the economy does recover, these professionals will have a solid resumé booster on their hands that many of their competing applicants may not have realized was available to them.

eBay Trading Assistants Help Sales Get Made

It might seem like eBay is an entirely straightforward business opportunity and mode, but that would be an incorrect assumption. Many people still require the help of an assistant in order to list products, complete sales, and interact with customers. For this reason, there is quite high demand for so-called “eBay Trading Assistants” which help with each of these tasks. They work on a freelance basis, generally, and get paid per task. But these opportunities lend themselves to careers in sales, marketing, and many clerical positions which will help eBay Trading Assistants execute a quick comeback when the economy decides to swing back into positive territory.

Experience and Income: The Right Combination

Each of these jobs requires a certain professional know-how that only some people will be able to bring to the table. But that’s because each job opportunity is designed to keep growing a person’s set of skills and experiences even as the traditional job market continues to trod through dark days. And when the economy recovers, those people will find themselves at the top of a very large stack of resumés.

Every day across the country many workers embark on new careers from home. While many of these workers are freelancers–writers, graphic designers, artists, photographers–many are former cubicle dwellers that have decided to take their work to their home office and enjoy flexibility and career satisfaction. Many employers are starting to see the value in allowing some of their staff to work from home. Allowing employees to work from home can save the company money, boost employee morale and create a more efficient workforce. If you are looking to work from home, you may have to convince your boss that allowing you to telecommute is a good idea.

1. 1. Determine Whether Your Position Fits the Work at Home Model

   The first step in convincing your boss that you should be allowed to work from home is to determine if your position is right for telecommuting. If you have heavy face-to-face interaction with customers, clients and managers, you may not be able to work from home. If, however, your position is more behind-the-scenes, you may be the perfect candidate for a work at home position. For one week, track how much of your work is independent and how much you do in collaboration with other staff members. If you work is mostly independent, you may have an easier time making your case to work from home.

2. 2. Determine Your Technology Needs

   The next step is to determine what technology you would need to work from home remotely. If you regularly have access to sensitive information, encrypted programs and company-specific software, it may be a security breach for you to work from home. Determine whether your work can be safely performed from home from a security standpoint.

   Remember that you will have to convince your boss that allowing you to work from home will save the company money. If they have to accommodate you with sophisticated software, install anti-virus software on your home computer or constantly monitor your work, you may have a hard time selling your work from home proposal. The first and most important consideration in your “sell” to your company is cost savings. Focus on how you can make your company’s work easier by working from your home office.

3. 3. Get the Facts

   For this step you will have to do a bit of research. Get as much information as you can without overwhelming your boss with excess paperwork, facts and figures. Find out if there is another member of your company who is working from home successfully. If there is one who is working from home and there are problems, pinpoint those problems and develop a plan of action to address them.

   Next, gather facts about working from home in general. Often many people are met with resistance when they ask to work from home due to misconceptions about working from home. Be prepared to explain what your day will entail and how your job will be similar to what you are doing in the office.

4. 4. Create a Proposal

   Before you start working on your proposal, consider your boss’ personality. Does she like to read reports in order to make decisions or does she prefer talking through issues? Her management style will make the difference in how you present your proposal and how it is received. Start gathering facts about the work at home industry. Mention statistics about how other companies are turning to telecommuting as a way to save money and produce a better workforce. Be prepared to make an oral presentation on your findings.

Things to include in your proposal:

• How this will benefit the company
  This should be the overall theme of your proposal. Discuss how you can save the company money on office space, technology costs and other financial considerations. Include factors that are unique to your company or geographic area. If the highway leading to your office regularly shuts down when it snows heavily, mention how you will be able to work despite weather issues. This will make you invaluable when half of the staff is stranded at home in a blizzard. Do not mention that you are seeking more time with family, even if this is your main motivation. Don’t discuss how this will benefit you personally, unless you can detail how this will save the company money.
• Your Technology Capabilities
  Make sure to mention what technology you have at your disposal in your home office. Mention your computer’s processing speed, your internet service provider, your phone line provider and any anti-virus software you have. If you own a fax machine, color printer and scanner, mention that as well. Include any software you have such as Adobe, Microsoft Office or any software you use at work.
• Your Home Office Environment
  If your boss knows you have six children and three dogs, he may be concerned about distractions in your home office. Allay his fears by detailing your care arrangements and your plan to avoid distractions.

If you want to work from home, you may have to do a bit of convincing to get your boss on board. Create a winning proposal to work from home and you may find yourself at your home desk in no time.