Not All Work-at-Home Women are Freelancers

Many people want the opportunity to work from home. However, they’re not inspired by the ‘freelance lifestyle’, which does offer some challenges. What work at home opportunities are available? Here are some options to consider:

* Direct Sales – Direct sales puts you in the driver’s seat without the risk. A direct sales associate is someone who sells a company’s products or services and works on a commission basis. Tupperware, Mary Kay and Discovery Toys are popular direct sales companies; however, because the business model is so successful you can find a direct sales company in just about every niche.

As a direct sales person, there is a low start-up cost, usually just the cost of buying a few products to market at home parties. Most of the time direct sales companies provide their associates with a bevy of marketing materials and everything they need to succeed.

* Medical Transcriptionist – Medical transcriptionists essentially take doctor dictated recordings and transcribe them. This isn’t as easy as it sounds because a medical transcriptionist will need to know and understand medical terminology. Many medical transcriptionists work on tight deadlines and have a degree or certification in the field.

* General Transcriptionist – As an alternative to medical transcription, a general transcriptionist is in high demand.  With more and more business going online and conducting teleseminars, webinars, and creating information productions, the use of a general transcriptionist is essential.  The general transcriptionist will take the recording/audio and transcribe it into a readable document, usually a Word document.  A general transcriptionist must be detailed oriented and have a keen ear.

If having your own general transcription business interests you, I have a 12-week home study training course that will put you in the right path of making money as a general transcriptionist.  Visit www.TranscribeIntensive.com to learn more.

* Customer Service – A number of companies around the world outsource their customer service to work from home contractors. You’ll need a computer and to go through their customer support training, and of course be right next to your phone during your contracted hours. There are work from home customer service scams, so if you’re interested in this opportunity you’ll want to contract with a reputable organization. Research them before you sign on the dotted line.

* Data Entry – Like customer service and medical transcription, there are work from home data entry scams. However, this can also be a legitimate option. The key is to do your homework on any organization you’re looking into or considering applying to, and never send anyone money to get a job.

* Telecommuting Opportunities – In addition to the standard work from home opportunities or direct sales opportunities, you may be able to transition your current job into a work from home or telecommuting situation. Many positions from an office manager to an attorney can be telecommuting opportunities.

If you’re already gainfully employed and want to transition your job from an office one to a telecommuting one, create a plan and a proposal that will benefit your boss and other employees before you present it to them.

Many times it’s easier to gradually ease into telecommuting by working from home one day a week at first. As you prove to your boss that it can work, you can add days. The key, however, is to be extremely productive on those work from home days.

Where can you find telecommuting and work from home jobs? Here are some suggestions:

• Check your local job postings and regular job sites
• Approach your employer
• Visit websites where work from home jobs are posted (be scam savvy)
• Contact companies you want to work for with a cover letter and a resume

Working from home doesn’t have to be a pipe dream – it is possible. With the right research and planning, you can live the life you desire.

I’d love to hear from you. Please post your questions and comments about working from home below.