Sunday, August 9, 2009

Do You Want A Work At Home Business Or A Job?

By Shelby Rojek

This is the number one question that is most asked TO and BY people who are looking for information about working from home. There seems to be a lot of confusion as to what the difference is between a "home business" and a "work at home job".

I have personally been involved with network marketing and direct sales for over 10 years. Anyone who has tried network marketing knows that you spend a lot of time on the phone talking with people. Inevitably, you will run across someone who thinks they are looking for a home business, but they are really just wanting a job. How can you tell? They will tell you they do not want to "pay for a job".

I believe that all of us who have already gone through that process have a duty to explain the difference to those who have just started looking to work at home. We need to take the time to explain to them that a work at home business is a real business like any other business that you start yourself. Any business that you personally start will have start up costs of some kind. Even if you are just going to clean houses, you will need to purchase cleaning supplies and pay for the gas to drive to the location. Plus there are many tax benefits for those who have their own business.

For those who are really just wanting a job, I feel it's common courtesy to alert them about the many scams on the internet today. Most people will already know about the obvious scams of envelope stuffing, assembling products and data entry from home. But it is nice to make sure they are aware of these scams. I share with them the fact that they should not have to EVER pay for a job or even information about a job. It would be like going to your local supermarket and paying them to interview and then hire you. Who would do that?!?

Which is the better choice then, to have a home business or a work at home job? It will depend on the individual and what their needs and goals are for themselves. Many people are content to have a job with structured hours but the benefit of working from home and not having to commute.

Plus with a job, you will have a guaranteed income. Other people prefer to work for themselves by having and investing in their own business. While they may earn less in the beginning, they have an unlimited earning potential down the road. However, they will need to be dedicated and disciplined enough to set up a schedule and stick to it. Yes, your schedule can be flexible, but you MUST work your business in order to make money.

Whether to work at home with a business or a job is something that should be researched by everyone before getting started. You will find a huge quantity of books and websites that are full of free information about working at home.

I would suggest reading as much as you can about how to successfully work from home as well as plenty of research about what you want to do from home. There are many, many home businesses and jobs available. It is just a matter of finding what you are passionate about and what you are willing to do to be able to stay at home.

So, which is better, a home business or a work at home job? The good news is....there is no wrong answer! It will all depend on you.

About the Author:

Choosing The Home Business That's Right For You

By Elise Easterbrook

Many work at home moms started out working for someone else and then slowly gained the knowledge, experience and courage to take it a step further. I'm talking about starting a home business.

True, it may be scary at first but with a lot of research and planning a home business can prove to be fulfilling and profitable.

Let's start out by determining your interests, and the best thing to do this is to write it down. Make a list of everything you love to do, your skills and talents or whatever it is you're truly passionate about. Then, number your entries in order of interest; this may be a little hard to do but it's very important so that you'll have a sense of direction in terms of career and personal goals.

To guide you further, here is a list of skills and the possible fields where you can apply it:

Skill: Detail oriented, good at record keeping

Possible Home Business: Accounting, Bookkeeping, Data Entry, Reminder Service, Transcription, Coding, Secretarial Service

Skill: People oriented, good communication skills

Possible Home Business: Customer Service, Direct Sales, Internet Sales, Promotional Product Sales, Public Relations, Travel Agency, Loan Agent, Clothing Sales

Skill: Visual oriented, creative, artistic

Possible Home Business: Advertising Design, Artist, Balloon Sculpture, Business Brochure Design, Furniture Design, Cartoonist, Costume Sewing, Crafts, Doll Making, Decorative Painting, Face Painting, Portrait, Gift Baskets, Illustrator, Jewelry Design, Photographer, Sign Maker, Antiques, Collectibles

Skill: Good at writing, researching, updated on current affairs and trends

Possible Home Business: Baby Announcements, Holiday Letters, Book Publishing, Editing, Freelance Writing, Online Writing, Online Teaching, Greeting Card Writer, Newsletter Publisher, Proofreader, Technical Writer, Translation,

Skill: Good organizational skill, attention to detail, good communicator, people-person

Possible Home Business: Bridal Service, Personal Shopper, Personal Coach, Event Organizer, Wedding Planner, Party Planner

Skill: Good computer skills, technical know-how, Internet savvy

Possible Home Business: Computer Classes, Programmer, Computer Set-up and Repair, Desktop Publishing, Graphic Design, Website Promotion, Website Design

Skill: Likes household work, loves kids and pets

Possible Home Business: Child Care, Catering, Running Errands, Housekeeping, House Sitting, Pet Sitting, Pet Grooming, Pet Walking

These are just some examples of skills, talents or interests you may have and the possible home business where you can apply your skills. Pick your top interest and start from there.

About the Author: