Who would not prefer to work from home? In today's work, the rich are getting richer, those with the few resources are getting poorer, and the middle is being squeezed out. With gas prices gouging consumers, commuting to and from work is costing more than ever before, meaning less available money when payday rolls around. And, as companies continue to tighten their belts and downsize, employees are taking on increased responsibilities for the same amount of money. What's the end result? Working longer hours with less to show for it.
When you work from home, though, your office is down the hall. Instead of filling up your gas tank twice a week, you might fill it twice a month. You have more time with your family and extra time to spend following your passions. Best of all, you can make your own hours and the only boss you have to answer to is the one who looks back at you from your mirror.
So, the desire to work from home is there, but exactly what are you going to accomplish in order to make money? Anyone who has surfed the Internet knows that there are thousands - if not hundreds of thousands - of home based business opportunities being promoted. How do you find one that's legitimate so you can make money while you work at home? Here are five commands to follow:
1. Beware of Sales. Unless you're a natural born salesperson and have a passion for it, avoid the business opportunity that forces you to sell. However, with the right product or membership and support you can do quite well. And the neighbors, friends, and family members that you try and convince to purchase your product will be more receptive to this.
2. Beware of Inventory. This is secondary to the first commandment. Many home based business opportunities require that you purchase inventory. Remember, you want to make money, not exhaust it on inventory. Moreover, you do not need to deal with the hassles and headaches of storing products, fulfilling orders, and shipping products.
3. Welcome Support. The home based business opportunity you select must offer a comprehensive support program. This should mean that the company has a step-by-step training guide, online courses, and helpful support staff who are available to answer any and all questions you may have. The company must also provide you with resources such as templates, samples, and anything else you need to get started.
4. Flexibility is Key. Whatever business opportunity you choose, it needs to be one that's flexible. If you hook up with a company that insists you set out a certain number of hours each week, it's no better than working an eight-hour shift and having a boss. The purpose is that you own your own business and that you have the ability to choose to work at your own pace, whether that's part time or full time.
5. Take it Forward. For your first home based business, choose a company that can teach you skills and strategies that you'll be able to use in your upcoming endeavors. Your first home based business probably will not be your last, so it's important to learn all that you can in order to succeed in the future.