Home Business
4 Ways to Work In Your Home
Written by Chris Martin for Gaebler Ventures
Perhaps you've longed for a job where you could stay home and make money. Here are four home-based businesses that are popular today -- along with the pros and cons associated with each kind of enterprise.
Many entrepreneurs are changing the rules about how we think about jobs.
These days, more and more people are eschewing commutes to the office in favor of working from home.
Women who would rather stay home with their kids. elderly, sick, or disabled people who are not well-suited for traditional workplaces. Individuals who are tired of office politics and unstable employers are all candidates for working at home.
Do you want to be like them?
There are quite a few work-at-home opportunities out there for people who want to stop being employees and start becoming entrepreneurs. Here are four of the most frequently chosen ones.
Call Center Jobs
The good news: You just need a phone, computer, and Internet connection. There's no reason that you would ever have to leave your home!
However... Usually, there are lots of people applying for these types of jobs - which drives down starting pay levels. In addition, these employers will not tolerate inappropriate noise in the background - such as a barking dog or a crying baby.
Online Retail Businesses
The good news: These opportunities allow you to set your own fee structure and profit margins. You can select the products that you feel most comfortable selling. And you can also have credit card payments routed directly to your checking or savings account.
However... Product knowledge is not enough to be successful - you also must be well-versed in Internet marketing, website management, and web portal creation. Also, you need to understand how search engines function and then develop a plan to get your business displayed on them. If you don't, your enterprise will be practically invisible in the endless chasm of cyberspace.
Web Auction Sellers
The good news: A computer, web connection, and online auction account are all you need to begin. Everything else is handled by the auctioning site (except for shipping arrangements). Payments are automatically deposited into your PayPal or bank account.
However... In order to earn significant income, you have to generate a hefty amount of regular revenue on any online auction site. This job also requires research to figure out which items that you can sell for a profit that are currently in demand.
Travel Businesses
The good news: Like with call center jobs, a computer, phone, and Internet connection are all you need initially. There are no physical items which you need to acquire or ship; you just have to find information about vacations and traveling.
However... Beware of Ponzi schemes or get-rich-quick promises in this line of work, because there are some unscrupulous firms out there who may try to swindle you out of your money. Also, if you actually like to travel (which is what likely drew you to this business in the first place), you may not have the time because you'll be busy planning other people's vacations during peak travel periods.
Today, individuals are relying less on companies for their earnings sources and are instead finding ways to generate income on their own. Some experts feel that there may be a substantial shift in this direction in the not-too-distant future.
The best news? You can make money working at home - as long as you know what you're getting into and realize the time commitments you must make. Then you can experience the unbridled joy of working on your own terms - which embodies the true entrepreneurial spirit!
Chris Martin has been a professional writer for the last seven years. He is interested in franchises and equity acquisition.
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