Home Biz Directory.US

© 2005 Leslie Truex

Intrigued by the idea of working at home in a job? Millions of people each year surf the Internet to find the perfect work-at-home job only to be overwhelmed by the number of scams and work-at-home schemes. One of the first steps to finding a legitimate work-at-home job is to understand what telecommuting is all about. Below are the answers to the top ten telecommuting questions.

Telecommuting describes the situation in which a person works off-site for all or part of the workweek. In essence, he commutes via telephone or other telecommunication equipment such as a modem. He may telecommute from home, from a satellite location or mobile office. He doesn’t do assembly work, email processing, envelope stuffing, or ad placing.

2) How many people telecommute?

The number of telecommuters is difficult to compute. The International Telework Association and Council reports the number of employees who telecommuted at least 1 day per month increased from 23.5 million to 24.1 million in 2004. That number is over 137 million worldwide (Gartner Group). Further, Employers offering telecommuting increased 22% in 2004 according to Lori Rosen, CCH workplace analyst in HR Networking: Work-Life Benefits.

The difficulty in determining the number of telecommuters is partly due to the ambiguity in defining the status of some workers. For example, many sales people who work at home are "hired" by a company but are contract workers. Are they counted as telecommuters? How about freelancers who are also "hired" or contracted by companies to perform specific tasks? Whether or not these groups of people are counted in the over all population of telecommuters can significantly affect the resulting number of telecommuters. However, experts agree that the numbers of people who are working at home for a company are increasing steadily each year as the concept of telecommuting grows in acceptance.

3) What companies allow telecommuting?

Telecommuting can be found in companies and organization (including government agencies) of all sizes. AT&T is a pioneer in the telecommuting phenomena. Other organizations include Aetna, Gale Research, Journal Graphics, the Federal Government, many state governments, and even small privately owned companies.

4) What jobs are best suited for telecommuting?

While telecommuting jobs have expanded to include a large spectrum of job types, the jobs best suited to telecommuting are those in the technical field especially in computer programming and writing. However, telecommuting jobs can also be found in research, customer service, accounting, transcription, sales, law, social work, nursing, and many other areas.

Salaries and benefits are part of many telecommuting programs. They can be found mostly in situations in which an employee has made arrangements with his employer to work at home and in highly skilled or professional jobs. Many of the telecommuting jobs found on the Internet are freelance or contract-based work in which the employee is paid on the amount of work completed (i.e. commission-based). However, contract work doesn’t necessarily mean sales nor does it mean inconsistent income. There are many contract jobs that are steady in terms of work and compensation.

5) Do you have to pay for telecommuting jobs?

NO! Legitimate employers never charge to hire you. NEVER! Any place that tells you otherwise is selling you something. Telecommuting jobs are like any other job. You are hired because you have shown you have the skills and experience for the job. You wouldn’t pay your current boss for paper clips or to add you to payroll! The only time money may be involved in a work-at-home job is for equipment (not all companies supply the equipment - but you should be careful of any company that tries to sell you it’s equipment) or if you use a fee-based job database to locate work. Further, any job announcement that suggests you can sign-up to work isn’t a real job.

There are two ways to get a telecommuting job. The first is to consider your current job. Are there tasks at your current job that you could do at home? If so, create a Work-At-Home Proposal outlining your work-at-home plan and how it will benefit your company. The second way is to do a work-at-home job search. The best places to find these jobs are on career oriented websites. Many of the fee-based telecommuting job databases are very good and cut down search time significantly. But always do research before forking out money to a telecommuting service.

Special skills, particularly in computer programming, will make it faster and easier to find a work-at-home job. But there are work-at-home jobs in many fields that don’t require any special degrees or skills. Basic skills you should have include writing, organizing, Internet use, research, and problem solving.

Maybe. Many telecommuting employees do not provide equipment or materials. A company is most likely to provide needed equipment if you are a full-time employee moving from an onsite position to a telecommuting one. In other cases, companies may reimburse the cost of some expenses such as materials and travel. In many cases, companies don’t supply or reimburse for anything. In this case, your expenses may be tax deductible, which is like getting reimbursed.

At the very least, you should have a fast computer with programs needed to do the job, a high-speed Internet connection, and possibly a second phone line and fax.

9) Is telecommuting suited to parents?

Telecommuting offers many benefits to parents but that doesn’t mean telecommuters can get by without childcare. Many companies require a written telecommuting agreement with childcare arrangements specified. Working at home with children can be difficult, as children need much attention and care. Even when they are engaged in an activity, they can be a distraction. If you plan to work at home, it would be wise to research different child care options such as pre-schools, co-ops, and play groups that could give you some uninterrupted time to work.

No. While telecommuting offers many benefits such flexibility and no commute time, it does have its disadvantages. Working at home requires much self-discipline to avoid distractions such as the dishes and television. It can create resentment at the office especially if the office staff is unable to contact the telecommuter or ends up picking up extra work not being finished by the telecommuter. One of the biggest complaints by telecommuters is the isolation experienced working at home. Telecommuters are left out of the formal and informal office social systems unless they make an effort to keep in touch with the office.

Telecommuting continues to grow as more and more businesses see the cost effectiveness of allowing people to do work from home. But, to find telecommuting work requires the same amount of diligent effort and professionalism as needed in a traditional job search. Your best bet for finding legitimate telecommuting jobs is to understand telecommuting and the companies that use telecommuters.

==============================================

Leslie Truex is a stay and work-at-home mom. She is the author of "Jobs At Home: A Complete Guide to Finding and Creating a Work-At-Home Job" which provides detailed telecommuting information and hundreds of telecommuting job resources to the serious telecommuting job seeker. Visit her site for free details http://rosec102.wahsuccess.hop.clickbank.net  

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 Questions to Ask When Considering a Direct Sales Home Business
by Cheryl Demas

If you need extra income, a flexible work schedule, and you like the idea of owning your own business, you might want to consider joining a direct sales company. There are hundreds of companies to choose from, offering a wide variety of products. But there are also things to watch out for, so use this list to ask the right questions.

Do you love the products?
Don't think only about the company's commission plan. Think about the products. It is better to make a 25% commission on a product you can sell than a 50% commission on a product you can't sell. Ask yourself, "Would I buy these products even if I wasn't involved with the company?" To be an enthusiastic salesperson, you have to believe in your products.

Do you know exactly what you will receive in your starter kit?
Most direct sales companies have a starter kit that new representatives must buy. The costs can range from $20 to over $200. You should be given an inventory of exactly what your kit will include before you send your money. The contents should also be listed in specific details. For example: "You will receive 50 full color, 25 page catalogs and 25 tri-fold opportunity brochures" not just "sales materials".

Is there a clear return policy?
Be sure that you can return your starter kit if you aren't satisfied, and that you can also return unsold inventory. Some companies specify that items you return must be in reusable condition. Be sure you know what they mean by "reusable." It may mean that your kit or products have to be returned unopened. So ask specific questions about the company's return policy.

What is the minimum amount of sales you must achieve each month to remain active?
Many companies require a certain dollar amount of personal sales that must be met each month for you to receive your commission checks. Find out if your company has such a policy and what their personal sales goals are.

How much will you have to sell to make a decent profit?
Set income goals for yourself and calculate how much you will have to sell to reach your goals. Also calculate how much of your time will be required to complete a sale, and then calculate your hourly rate. For example, if you present a 2-hour home party and make a $100 profit, you may think that you've earned $50/hour. However if you spent 5 hours recruiting a hostess, preparing your presentation, mailing invitations, and making follow-up calls, then 2 hours on the actual night of the party, and 3 more hours of follow-up and product delivery, your hourly rate would actually be $10/hour. Still not bad, but you need to consider all the tasks that will require your time when you're looking at an opportunity.

Will there be pressure to recruit other sales representatives?
Direct sales organizations are often set up so that you make a commission on the sales of people you have recruited to become representative themselves, this is known as your downline. This is also called Multilevel Marketing (MLM) or Network Marketing. Many legitimate companies use this method of payment, but some may encourage you to use high-pressure sales tactics to recruit your downline. Your income should be based on sales of actual products, and perhaps eventually the sales of those in your downline. But your focus should not be on recruiting others. Find out if you can earn a decent amount through your own personal sales, or if you will be expected to recruit others.

Many moms have found great success running their direct sales home businesses. They appreciate the freedom and flexibility it gives them to earn income while staying home with their children. If this sounds good to you, take your time, research the opportunities, and ask questions. Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it will save you a lot of headaches.

Cheryl is the founder and publisher of WAHM.com. She lives and works at her home in California with her husband and two daughters.

10 Marketing Tips For Success

by Shelley Lowery

1. FREE... I got your attention, didn't I. Offer a free report, ebook or "how to" course. Information is the top selling product online. You can use this to your advantage by offering free information.

  • As a sample of your information product (teaser)
  • To identify a problem and promote your products or services as the solution
  • To bring traffic to your site

Providing free information is a great way to build a targeted list of contacts. Pick up free autoresponders at the following sites:

SendFree - http://www.sendfree.com/
GetResponse - http://www.getresponse.com/

For more information about creating an ebook read the article entitled, "How To Create An Ebook & Drive Massive Traffic To Your Site By Giving It Away."
http://www.web-source.net/ebook_creation.htm

2. Newsletter (ezine) - Start your own newsletter and begin creating your online community of contacts. Visit Yahoo Groups to create your list, free. http://groups.yahoo.com

3. Write Articles - There are thousands of online publications looking for quality content. Writing and distributing your articles will provide you with free massive exposure. After you've written your article, subscribe to these publications to assist you in getting published.

Article Announce
Subscribe: mailto:article_announce-subscribe@egroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/article_announce

Articles Archive
Subscribe: mailto:articles_archives-subscribe@egroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/articles_archives

Free Content
Subscribe: mailto:Free-Content-subscribe@egroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Free-Content

4. Ezine Advertising - Place your ad in targeted ezines. Ezine advertising will enable you to reach thousands of targeted potential customers very inexpensively. Visit the Directory of Ezines to find a complete listing of publications, ad costs, circulation and more. http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=doe

5. Pay-Per-Click Programs - Pay-per-click programs will enable you to advertise to your target audience and only pay for results -- you pay a set amount for each visitor that is sent to your web site. The most popular pay-per-click program is the pay-per-click Search Engines. You can learn more about pay-per-click Search Engines here: http://www.payperclicksearchengines.com/

6. Advertising - Google AdWords provides a simple way to purchase highly targeted advertising, regardless of your budget. Unlike other sites selling banner ad space and pay-per-ranking, AdWords provides advertisers with highly effective text ads that are displayed with the search results. Studies have shown that highly targeted keyword advertising produces an average of four times the industry standard clickthrough rate. For further information, visit Google AdWords: http://adwords.google.com

7. Press Release - Write a quality press release about your product or service and tell the world! For more information on press releases, visit any of these sites:

CanadaOne provides a free interactive press release builder. http://www.canadaone.com/promote/pressrelease.html

Gebbie Press provides over 10,000 links to print and electronic media on the Internet.
http://www.gebbieinc.com

Automated Press Releases will enable you to send your press release to over 10,000 publication contacts. You write your press release or they'll write it for you.
http://www.automatedpr.com/

8. Networking (Joint Ventures) - Create a network of like-minded marketers to help promote one another, provide recommendations and exchange prominent links. Note: Be cautious when selecting your networking partners and making recommendations as your reputation is on the line. Only network with individuals you truly believe in. Visit Google to search for potential joint venture partners. http://www.google.com

9. Discussion Groups & Forums - Subscribe to appropriate email lists and visit discussion boards to participate in online discussions. Although blatant advertising is not permitted, most of the time, signatures are acceptable. Visit Web-Source.net for a listing of discussion boards.
http://www.web-source.net/web/Discussion_Forums/

Visit Email Universe for a complete listing of email discussion lists.
http://www.EmailUniverse.com/

10. Offline Promotions - Advertise in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV. Visit the following sites for complete listings.

Gebbie Press
http://www.gebbieinc.com/

Newspapers Online
http://www.newspapers.com/

Copyright © Shelley Lowery

Working From Home – Have YOU Got What It Takes?
by Lucy Cole-Radice

Have you got the YOU factor to work from home?

Making the decision to move away from traditional forms of employment to work from home and take sole responsibility for personal income is one that more and more people are choosing for various reasons.

This article will help you determine whether or not such a business option is for you.

With the emergence of network marketing as a viable home based business option to counter traditional business, it is little wonder that many believe they are qualified for success that network marketing systems offer.

Currently, network marketing annual sales are nearing $20 billion in the US alone with approximately 8 million people distributing such products. According to Mark and Renee Yarnell in their book Your First Year In Network Marketing “95% of those who survive 10 years in network marketing become wealthy beyond their wildest expectations.” Becoming a successful distributor, which can lead to such rewards, is not merely a process of just signing up. Sadly, many quit in their first year.

Working from home is a business decision that can literally change your life if you are prepared to do what it takes to survive in such an industry.

The beauty of your own network marketing distributorship is that although you are in business for yourself, you are never in business by yourself. The mentoring systems set in place by all successful network marketing companies ensures that everyone is supported throughout the training process and during the life of their business.

It is however, important to understand that it is up to the individual to take responsibility for their own training and skill levels not their mentor. The faster you train yourself and achieve the necessary skills the faster the growth of your business.

Based on this premise, there are many who believe that success is about luck. In this business, success is not only what you wish for but rather what you work for.

Before you make a decision to become involved in your own home business, there are a number of qualities or YOU factors that have been identified as keys to success in the network marketing industry.

1. Adaptable to Change – do you welcome change in your life?
2. Life Long Learner – are you open to learning new skills?
3. Good Communicator – do you enjoy communicating with people?
4. Loyalty – are you able to commit to the company’s products and regular trainings?
5. Realistic Goal Setter – do you understand that building a successful business takes time (years)?
6. Perseverance – are you able to remain consistent and persistent at working to build your business?
7. Leadership – do you enjoy helping others to succeed?
8. Accepts Personal Growth – are you prepared to take on personal development?
9. Team Player – do you understand that success in network marketing is a team approach?
10. Self Sufficient – are you willing to continually invest money back into your business?
11. Independent/ Self Starter – are you able to follow instructions and work at tasks on your own without supervision?
12. Problem Solver – are you able to ask questions to clarify areas of your business that you don’t understand?
13. Time Manager – are you able to appropriate the amount of time to your business that is commensurate with your commitment eg. full or part time?
14. Self Belief/Motivation – when your business confidence is low (which there will be times) are you able to take stock and move forward rather than quit?

If you feel that you have qualified yourself for the above keys to success then working from home based business in the network marketing industry might be the vehicle for the financial and/or time rewards experienced by many who have made the decision to take control of their future and ride it all the way to the top.

Lucy Cole-Radice is currently operating her own successful affiliate internet based 60 Minute Money Home business from home.

Should I stay home or go back to work? How about both?
Growing numbers of Moms are choosing home based businesses.
by Kathy Cooper

Women multi-task, it is just what we do. If we weren’t doing 3 things at once plus thinking of 3 other things – we would feel guilty. Can we balance home, family, career, bills, life … etc.? Sure we can! On February 19, 2004 The Today Show aired a piece titled, “Women breaking barriers in non-traditional job roles – gender gap closing in skilled trades once dominated by men.” Facts and figures were presented to show that times are changing for women! The number of construction firms, factories, even garages now owned by women has grown more than 17% from 1997 to 2002. Women not only want to prove they can do any job, they want to own the company!

More than 25 million Americans are home-based entrepreneurs and that number grows every day. Being paid for what you do is so much more rewarding than being paid what someone thinks you are worth! Due to the highest unemployment numbers since post September 11th, experienced and educated women are taking jobs far below their aptitude just to have job security. Employers are holding the key to our futures – but you can change that by starting a business from home.

Where do you start? Well, you search the Internet at a feverish pace, go to the library and read anything and everything you can get your hands on and ask questions. “It is anticipated that by the year 2005, 50% of households in the U.S. alone will be involved in a home based business.” - Newsweek Magazine. Finding your niche is where the trick lies. It is too easy to get pulled into scams and fraudulent activities. There are several government agencies just for these concerns. Is it really possible to stuff envelopes and make thousands of dollars a week? The National Fraud Information Center at www.fraud.org is an incredible resource for making sure you don’t get caught up in the moment of moneymaking ideas. According to their web site, Internet Fraud Statistics list a Total Loss Overall of $14,647,933 in the year 2002. The “envelope stuffing” scheme is listed and explained. In this classic scam, instead of getting materials to send out on behalf of a company, you get instructions to place an ad like the one you saw, asking people to send you money for information about working at home. This is an illegal pyramid scheme because there is no real product or service being offered. You won’t get rich, and you could be prosecuted for fraud. Operating a home-based business is just like any other business, it requires hard work, skill, good products or services, and time to make a profit.

In 2002, the average annual income of a person running a home office was more than $45,000 per year! This is more than twice as much as the average U. S. household income derived from working for employers. In fact, home business is the fastest growing segment of the economy. Two out of every three businesses started in the U. S. are started in the owner’s home. Personal Computers have made it possible for us to become writers, publishers, artists, shoppers, communicators as well as entrepreneurs!

Always use the ‘buyer beware’ mentality when exploring the many options available to you and do your homework! If you put everything you have into your own business, the benefits will amaze you!

Out of 100 people who start working by age 25 – by the age of 65…

• 1 is healthy
• 4 have enough money for a comfortable retirement
• 3 are still working
• 63 are dependent on Social Security, friends, relatives or charity
• 29 are dead

Planning for your future and deciding where your number will fall is entirely up to you!

Finding the business that is right for you is as personal a choice as what outfit you decided to wear today. Once you figure out what you like to do and find a way to make it into a business you will experience a passion like you have never known. You wake up in the middle of the night and start writing down ideas. You are always thinking and trying to come up with new ways to present it. Answer the following questions to narrow down what it is you want to do. 1) If someone would pay me to do what I really enjoy, what would that be? Is it writing? Shopping? Selling? Giving advice? Giving my opinion? Perhaps a hobby. The choice to change your path is yours. There are web sites, books and research to help answer any questions or concerns you may have. Utilize what is available and start working toward your future.

Kathy Cooper is the owner and editor of an e-zine titled From Katie's Mom to You .Working from home has become a top priority after the birth of Katie!