I can't count the number of times that people have asked me for a list of legitimate work-at-home opportunities. Unfortunately, I dont have a simple list or solution to offer. Its not that I couldnt create a list of ideas or opportunities, its more that such a list wouldnt exactly answer their question.
While there are obvious scams floating around the 'net, of the business opportunities that are legitimate... well, they are too numerous for a single person to review and endorse. And of course the ideas for at-home businesses are literally as endless as a person is creative.
That said, my experience over the last 10 years of working at home has lead me to categorize the opportunities into five basic groups...
- Service-Based Business. This would include both online services and offline services. Examples include: housekeeping, web development, childcare, landscaping, copywriting, etc. Anything that you are good at can easily be turned into a service that people need and are willing to pay for. The ideas are endless!
- MLM or Network Marketing. This will usually include both online and offline marketing. There are thousands of companies to choose from, so you want to research product lines and compensation plans to find a company that is a good match for you. Building a solid business through MLM generally requires both recruiting and product sales.
- Affiliate Marketing. This is similar to Network Marketing in many ways, in that you earn a commission for sales that you make. These programs are promoted primarily online (though you can promote offline if you choose). While some merchants offer a 2nd payment tier for recruiting new affiliates, the majority of your income is derived from sales. Becoming an Affiliate Marketer is one of the easiest and most popular ways to earn money online.
- Product Development. The creative types can earn money online by developing products that fill a need in a particular market. This can include ebooks or guides, training videos, programs and utilities, or even physical products. The key is to be able to identify what a market needs, develop it (or have it developed) and market it properly.
- Blogging. This is something that any marketer should consider in addition to whatever business model they choose - it is as much a marketing plan as it is a business model. That said, blogging can also serve as a stand-alone opportunity to work from home and earn a decent income. You can monetize a blog with affiliate programs, by selling advertising or sponsorships, by creating and selling products to your readers, or even by participating in the paid-to-blog opportunities.
The reason that I dont create a list of work-at-home opportunities is because I believe that each successful online business is as unique as the person behind it. You really do need to sit down with someone and map out the ideal work at home opportunity - the one that will work best for you.
I think, too, that most people are looking for a "quick solution" when they ask that question. Unfortunately, there is nothing quick or easy about starting your own business - online or off. It takes dedication, motivation and a serious investment of time and energy.
On that note, I'll leave you with a few resources to consider, and you are welcome to leave any thoughts or questions that you have in the Reply box below...
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More great resources:
- Find Freelance Work Online
- Learn How to Create & Sell Ebooks Online
- Become a Full-Time Affiliate Marketer
- Get a Sneak-Peak into 10 Successful Online Businesses
- Easily Create and Optimize your own Niche Blogs
Best,
Technorati Tags: work at home, working from home, business opportunities, make money online
About Lynn Terry
Good categories. I've been on both sides of working at home, starting out working for Medquist as a medical transcriptionist, then finding my way into online business. I have to say a home business is lots more fun than a work at home job... even if it can be more stressful.
Interesting topic. After I got pregnant, I was looking for a long time for a legitimate job from home.
It is so difficult to look through the scams and find the real offers. Just last week I finally found a good website which is an index for all legitimate work from home. None of the listed jobs charges any fees and there are no scams.
If anyone is looking for a legitimate job from home go to http://www.cjfj.net
Hi lynn
Your post is pretty much right on. I am another of the 'wanna be's' online. I wanna put up several sites and I wanna make money online. BUT I don't wanna get up an e-mail list and bombard people with marketing mails. I hate marketing mails and they all hit the trash except for a very few I am studying, and I am pretty sure my friends are the same way. so I think that all that work to set up emails is wasted in the trash. I have been researching this problem looking for the 'magic' formula to make a living and do it without harassing people with mails, like many others I have a ton of marketing e-books and none of them work without email marketing opt-in lists. So far I have found that most of the e-books ARE marketing tools to promote others e-books, there are a couple 'buddy' groups that market each others books and software. Many of them tout being able to build a site, automate it and sit back and rake in the money and do it all over again with another site. Like you have said elsewhere, it takes a lot of hours to build and maintain one site in the manner that search engines require. I am on medical disability and could use the extra money a website could bring in, but considering all the hard work and no guarantee of a pay check, I am seriously concidering getting microsoft training and going back to a 9 to 5 job. I am beginning to think that the internet is a whole lot of work and requires way more than a J.O.B. Enough of the rant!!
I am new to your group and I must say, compared to others I know, you do a great job of getting your ideas across and have a lot of useful content. Keep up the good work.
Hi Jerry,
You are right in that it takes a substantial investment of time and energy upfront to start a successful internet business - more so than you would put into a regular 'job'. That said, once you get it established it is a dream come true!
I do agree with you also that things are moving away from Email Marketing and more towards RSS and Social Networking - which means blogs and feeds. There was a time (and not too long ago) that my newsletter got a great response. Not as much anymore, and judging from what you wrote and from the way that I manage my own email these days... its not hard to see why.
I think that this is more of an issue in the Internet Marketing niche than anything though. A good follow-up system in other niches still seems to work like a charm. 😉
It sounds to me like you are analyzing the Internet Marketing or Work-at-Home markets specifically. If you look into other niches, you'll find there is still TONS of opportunity for an automated home business through Affiliate Marketing or other models.
I'm glad you've joined us - Nice to meet you!
Best,
Lynn Terry
I found you quite by accident, thru a comment you had made on a e-book by Harvey Segal in which you posted a link. it is a part of my researching to follow links to see if they prove out. I take nothing at face value. I still haven't finished researching your sites but I do think it may have been my lucky day.
Keep up the good work.
I dont blame you - research is a smart move 😉 . Enjoy the sites, feel free to join the discussion forum, and let me know if you have any questions/comments!
Lynn
Today in the fast growing internet world it is very difficult to find a great home based business opportunity, because many websites are offering work at home based opportunities, but it is very difficult to reach some proper and legitimate website, as most of them are scams. If you succeed in getting the right job, it will be a marvelous effort.
I am 59 years old and work for a security company i have no retirement and no bank acc. i need something and this looks good to me if i can get some help from someone to get me started i have a laptop and a desk top at home all im asking is someome to help me get started im tired of working pay check to pay check hope this will help.
Hi Rickey,
Join us over at my discussion forum:
http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/members/
You'll see a Main Internet Marketing Forum there. It's a great community so if you post your request for guidance/help there you'll get some solid responses and we'll try to help you find a good starting point that will work for you 😉
Working at home is really rewarding. After I gave birth to my son, I started working at home and I just love it. Aside from earning well, I am able to spend more quality time with my family.
Home business is very individual, a plan may work for one, but not for another person. So many factors affect the level of success potential.
I would have to agree with you that a home business is an individualized endeavor. No one size fits all. It's always recommended to go with what you are passionate about. As the saying goes "do what you love and the money will follow".