Work-From-Home Tips

Whether you're looking to contribute to your family's finances or earn some cash to cover special or unexpected expenses, many people want more ways to make money at home.

From freelance to full-time gigs, we have a range of fields and resources below to help guide you in discovering the options that exist. Only you can decide if an opportunity is right for you.

Don't limit yourself solely to responding to advertised openings. Sometimes the best way to land a home-based job is by calling someone you'd like to work for and offering your services.


Don't Get Scammed
While we're focused on making money, it's also important to note how to avoid losing it, too.

I responded to ads to stuff envelopes that boasted the potential to earn up to $1,500 a week with little effort. Though I was highly skeptical, I bought a dozen different starter kits for $20 to $50 each, figuring one might work.

Each instructed me to mail flyers aimed at recruiting other people to stuff envelopes. I wasn't promoting a product or service; I was just told to get other people to stuff envelopes with the same offer. If they purchased the same kit, I'd receive a commission.

I'm pretty resourceful, yet I couldn't get this to pan out. I didn't get a single cent. Recruiting people to stuff envelopes is the oldest work-from-home gimmick and it fools new people every day. Don't be one of them.

Christine Durst, author of "The Rat Race Rebellion," says her research indicates the ratio of scams to legitimate opportunities is 42-to-1.

That isn't to say that all home-based opportunities that request money up front are rip-offs. Many legitimate direct-sales companies and others that help you start your own business require a start-up fee to cover the cost of training manuals and supplies to get you going.

Before mailing a check or submitting a credit card payment, talk to a live person about the requirements and the realistic earning potential. Also ask about obstacles and challenges.

If you wanted to become a consultant with Mary Kay or Avon, you'd have no trouble finding people willing to talk — not just e-mail you — about how to get started. The same access to information and people should be your standard for any home-based work you consider.

If you are going to send money, ask first about a money-back guarantee. Specifically, find out how you'll have to go about requesting a refund if you're not satisfied and when you'll receive it.

This is especially important for Web sites that require a registration fee for access to listings or for sites that want to sell you an "information packet" or "starter kit."

Check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints about the company and try to verify the seller's PayPal record. (Similarly, if you have been scammed, be sure to report the nature of your complaint to these outlets as well.)

Do not reveal passwords or personal information. Once you've accepted a job and you opt for direct deposit, you'll have to provide your bank account number, but this information isn't relevant in the application process.

Beyond that, you should never reveal passwords and PINs for banking information or PayPal accounts, even though many online scams request these details. They claim they're only requesting it to determine whether you're an honest applicant. Don't fall for that nonsense.

Remember that just because an ad or posting appears on a seemingly reputable Web site doesn't mean the opportunity has been verified for legitimacy. The big job boards and a wide range of work-from-home Web sites are rich in resources. Yet they often feature ads and links that aren't vetted for accuracy.

With an abundance of opportunities out there, no single source can possibly verify the validity of every opportunity. You must do your own research, inject a big dose of common sense, and follow the advice here to avoid getting ripped off.

Even with all of these warnings, the reality is that good, honest opportunities exist. Just do your homework to make sure it's right for you before signing on.


Virtual Customer-service Agent
A growing work-from-home opportunity is to answer the inbound customer calls for companies like J. Crew, 1-800-flowers, Virgin Atlanta or Walgreens. These major players and many others like them outsource their customer-service calls to companies that hire U.S.-based virtual agents.

Set your own hours and pick an account that's ideally suited to your knowledge and interests. In addition to having a pleasant voice and strong customer-service skills, you must have high-speed Internet access, a computer, a landline, and a quiet place to work — all of which you pay for on your own.

Expect to make an average of between $8 and $15 an hour depending on your experience, call volume and accounts. Be prepared to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, although some agents work 40 hours to 60 hours when their schedule permits.

Alpine Access hires virtual agents as employees. Other companies, including LiveOps, West and Willow CSN hire agents as independent contractors. All of these companies hire year-round, and they're all eager for talent as they prepare for a very busy holiday season.


Create Your Own Product Line
Ever dream of seeing your slogans and artwork on T-shirts, mugs or hats? You can turn that dream into reality — and into cash — without investing even a penny in expensive start-up costs like equipment and stock.

Submit your original ideas and art online to Web sites like zazzle.com, cafepress.com and others, and you'll receive commission on all sales generated with your designs.

Do this for T-shirts, mugs, kids' accessories, housewares, posters, stickers and so much more. In addition to securing orders from strangers who visit those sites, you can also make money by doing some proactive promotion of your own. Encourage your friends and family to place orders, and get them to e-mail all of their friends, too, by forwarding links to your products.


Channel Your Inner Judge Judy
Instead of spending time watching the courtroom programs on TV, make money while determining verdicts as an online juror. Lawyers deciding whether or not to accept a case or looking for preliminary feedback on cases they're currently handling use various Web sites as a cost-effective tool for research and focus groups before heading into a real courtroom.

Sites including eJury.com, OnlineVerdict.com, ZapJury.com, and TrialPractice.com pay nominal fees to home-based e-jurors, ranging from $10 to $60, depending on the length of the e-trial. Research all of the sites and read the requirements before signing on to serve.


Transcribe Audio to Text
Speeches, lectures, television and radio programs and interviews must be converted to text that's delivered in a timely and accurate way. If you possess exceptional English language and grammar skills and you're an experienced typist with a speed of at least 75 words per minute, you could transcribe audio to text. Some businesses may require you to take a transcription test before offering you opportunities to work. Most assignments are handled on a freelance basis. Sites to explore include ProductionTranscripts.com, ModernDayScribe.com, TigerFish.com and AliceDarling.com. Find others by searching online.


Talk Tech
If you're an experienced information technology professional and you enjoy problem-solving and quality customer service, you may be able to work from home providing tech support via phone, online and in person to customers nationwide.

As an independent contractor or employee (this varies per company), you'd work from your own home office, set your own hours, and service clients in your area. ComputerAssistant.com, GeeksOnTime.com, PlumChoice.com are some of the companies to explore.


Driving for Dollars
I'm not talking about becoming a taxi driver or chauffeur — you can make money by driving your normal route while allowing your car to feature advertisements.

Specially created decals are provided to drivers to affix to the back window. Depending on your location and the amount of driving you do — usually a minimum of 1,000 miles a month is required — you can earn $50 to $150 a month by "renting out" this space on your car. You can make even more money — up to $500 a month — by allowing your car to be fully wrapped with an advertiser's images and message.

Search online using keywords "car wrap advertising" to locate opportunities nationwide. Don't be shy about calling around to compare rates and advertising opportunities to find the best fit for you. Never settle on the first company you find since there could be a more lucrative option available to you.


From ABC News