For Every Personality, Interest, and Skill
So you've decided to pursue working at home. What now? Well, the first step is choosing what you want to do. This is probably the most important decision in determining whether you will be a success. You want to choose something that's profitable, in demand, and recession-proof, right? But it's more crucial to find something that you genuinely enjoy. Remember, working at home can be quite a challenge since 1.) you're usually starting from scratch, 2.) you aren't worried about being fired if you don't get out of bed, and 3.) it's so easy to give up or stop putting in effort.
But if you make the right choice, these difficulties will be easy to overcome. The right choice is something that you're extremely motivated about. But how many times in your life have you been obsessed and convinced about an idea only to completely forget about it a month later?
That's why this decision can be so intimidating. However, if you do your research, gradually limit your options, and spend plenty of time thinking and planning, you'll find the job for you! Time is key. Even after you've made a choice, leave plenty of time to plan before starting your business. If you have a set path and goals written out, you improve your chances even further!
Note: Check back frequently for updates! I will add more details and opportunities whenever I learn about new ones.
For Writers
- Blogging
- Writing Articles
- Reviewing Products
- Copywriting
- Writing and Selling eBooks
- Writing Newsletters
- Content Editing
- Content Writing
- Creating Lenses on Squidoo!
Resources for Writers
Most writing jobs you can find by going onto any freelance/job-listing website. But here are some sites specifically for writing.
Blogger
Technically they will not pay you to write. However, you can host your blog here and earn off of advertisements, affiliate marketing, and other means.
Wordpress
An alternative to Blogger. Wordpress is more complicated, but generally more professional looking.
Associated Content
Get paid to write articles on any subject.
Helium
An alternative to Associated Content.
Epinions
Get paid to write reviews.
For Artists and Entertainers
- Sell Photography to Websites
- Graphic Design
- Animation
- Paid to Upload Multimedia
- Viral Videos
- Podcasting
- Video Blogging
- Freelance Voice-Overs
Resources for Artists and Entertainers
Shutter Stock
Sell your photography.
Fotolia
An alternative to Shutter Stock.
Voices.com
Freelance voice-over jobs.
Metacafe
Get paid for your viral videos.
Graphic Design Freelance Jobs
Job listings.
All Graphic Design
An alternative to Graphic Design Freelance Jobs.
Ziddu
Get paid to upload videos.
For Computer Whizzes
- Website Design
- Web Coding
- Software Programming
- Website Flipping
- Start an Incentivized Website (ie: GPT or PTC)
Resources for Computer Whizzes
Places that hire, offer information, or offer freelance job listings.
The Net Fool- Make Your Own GPT
Article on how to start your own GPT site.
Websiteflipping.com
A guide on website flipping.
Rent-a-coder
Freelance software coding jobs.
Get a Coder
Listings for various coding jobs.
For Know-it-Alls
- Online tutoring
- Online proofreading
- Make How-To Videos/eBooks
- Be an Online Guide (ie: About.com guide, ChaCha guide)
- Be a Consultant on Your Area of Expertise
Resources for Know-it-Alls
About.com Guides
Hires online guides to write articles on their areas of expertise.
Just Answer
Hire online guides to answer questions on their area of expertise.
Edit Fast
Hires all types of editors and connects them with their clients.
Peterson's Cyber Edit
Hires editors to assist students with resume writing and college application essays.
eHow
Pays for step-by-step instructions on topics of your choice.
Tutor.com
Hires online tutors.
For Social Butterflies
- Forum/Chat Room Moderator
- Start a Message Board
- Customer Support
- Telemarketing
- Virtual Call Center Agent
- Virtual Concierge
Resources for Social Butterflies
Here are some places that hire.
CM of the Year
Offers job listings for bingo chat-room moderators.
Geek Squad
Hire people for online technical support.
VIP Desk
Virtual concierge jobs.
Live Ops
Hires various types of call center agents.
Telereach
Telemarketing jobs.
For the Competitive
- Affiliate Marketing
- Network Marketing
- Promote Other People's Websites
- Lead Generation
Resources for the Competitive
I've only listed affiliate marketing resources here. The reason being that all the others are very risky and it is extremely difficult to find legitimate resources. However, if you know of any legit programs, let me know and I'll look into it.
Commission Junction
Apply to be apart of their program. Many different campaigns to choose from.
Click Bank
Another popular program.
For Perfectionists
- Transcription and Medical Billing
- Translation
- Data Entry
- Word Processing
- Virtual Assistant
Resources for Perfectionists
Some of these sites will hire you, some offer relevant job listings, and some of them offer training.
MT Jobs
Job listings for medical transcriptionists.
Verbalink
Hires transcriptionists.
Languagetranslation.com
Hires for translation and interpretation jobs.
Translation Directory
Provides listings and a list of legitimate translation agencies.
Key For Cash
Hires people for data entry. Note: They have a really long wait-list of people who want to work for them.
VirtualAssistant.org
Offers training for virtual assistants.
Demand Studios
Hires title-proofers.
Mix and Match Money-Makers
Also, none of these require any sort of special skills or abilities.
- Paid Surveys
- Focus Groups
- GPTs (Get Paid to Complete Offers)
- Paid to Click
- Paid to Search
- Paid to Read Emails
- Paid to Post in Forums
- Paid to Test Products
- Paid to Drive
- Paid to Complete Simple Tasks
- Paid to Play Games
- Mystery Shopping
- Decoy Agent
- E-juror
- Paid to Rate Music
- Paid Social Networking
- Paid to Review Money-Making Sites (ie: Paid Surveys, GPT, Affiliate Programs, etc)
Resources for Mix and Matchers
A few of the many places that will pay you for these simple activities.
Fast Recession Money
Paid Survey and GPT Reviews
IM Report Card
Paid to Review Money-Making Sites
Send Earnings
Paid to Read Email
YouData
Paid to Click on Advertisements
Swagbucks
Paid to Search
RedGage
Paid to Upload/Social Networking (tell them moneymaker1008 sent you!)
myLot
Paid to Post in Forums
Corporate Research International
Legitimate Mystery Shopping Company
eJury
Be an e-Juror
Find Focus Groups
Listings for Focus Groups
Hausernet
Decoy Agent (Paid to Receive Postal Mail)
Slice The Pie
Paid to Rate New Music- and get to socialize with up and coming musicians
Ad-Wraps
Paid to Drive a Car With Advertisements
Amazon Mechanical Turk
Get Paid to Complete Simple Tasks
Starting Your Own Business
Another increasingly popular option is actually starting your own home-based business. Of course, in order to do this, you'll need a lot of drive, passion, and discipline. However, it is probably the most profitable and rewarding option. It also allows you the most creativity.
Basic Types of Home Businesses
- Sell Your Services
- Sell Your Inventions
- Sell Your Home-Made Creations
- Sell Other People's Things For Them
- Direct Sales
Services You Can Bank On
Note: I'm not including products you can sell because, well, you can sell anything!
- Home Day-Care Center
- Babysitter Referral Service
- Catering Service
- Bed and Breakfast
- Party Planning
- Resume Writing Service
- Scrapbooking
- Rental Services
- Matchmaking Service
- Designated Driver Service
- Gift Baskets
- Antiques Dealer
- Errand-Running Service/Personal Shopper
- Framing Service
- Cleaning/Home Organizing Service
- Animal Breeding
- Writing Giftcards
- Invent a New Product
- Dry Cleaning
Resources for Starting Your Own Home Business
Advice and outlets for your business. If anyone knows of any other good resources, let me know.
eBay
Start your own eBay store.
Amazon
Sell your products.
WAHM.com
Resources and forums for work at home moms.
The Work at Home Woman
A blog that offers plenty of advice for working at home.
Home Based Business Network
Social network for those interested in starting their own home businesses. Also offers articles, resources, and support.
Entrepreneur.com
An excellent resource. Check out the work at home section. Includes important legal information about starting a business.
Get Creative!
Note: Some well-known work at home opportunities are not listed here, such as stuffing envelopes and at-home assembly. This is due to the fact that there is so much fraud in these areas that I cannot recommend them. Please take extreme caution if you wish to become involved in these.
Misc. Resources
Some more helpful links for working at home.
Guru.com
Various freelance jobs.
Craig's List
Like any other job, you can find work at home jobs here. Just remember to be extremely careful.
eLance
Freelance jobs.
Freelance
More freelance jobs.
Other Suggested Lenses
Some of my other work at home lenses.-
How and Why I Do Paid Surveys
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Avoiding Paid Survey Scams
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The Work at Home industry is filled with scams, especially when it comes to paid surveys. In fact, there are more scams floating around online than there are actual legitimate opportunities. Unfortunately, too many people keep becoming victims of th...
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Work at Home...I Do It!
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With the recession, everyone is looking for ways to make extra money. Whether you've lost your job, or your business just isn't making as much as it used to, you need a way to make ends meet. Despite this decline in the economy, the Work at Home ind...
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Ideas for Free Web Promotion
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In this lens, I'm going to show you all of the ways that you can advertise for free online. This list could really be endless since promotion has a lot to do with creativity. So please feel free to contact me if you have any tips to add! I've includ...
Books I Recommend
Working for Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers & Consultants
Discusses important information that you need to know about the legal aspects of being your own boss.
Amazon Price: $26.39 (as of 11/25/2009) 
The Work-at-Home Success Bible: A Complete Guide for Women: Start Your Own Business; Balance Work and Home Life; Develop Telecommuting Strategies
A great resource for women wanting to work at home. Offers priceless advice on various topics from getting started to getting and staying organized to avoiding distractions.
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/25/2009)
The Recession-Busting Guide To Making Money Online From Home
This excellent book provides great advice on many different ways to earn from home, as well as ways to promote and improve your business.
Amazon Price: $15.60 (as of 11/25/2009)
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Comments/Suggestions
I've worked really hard on this lens, so I would love to hear any feedback that anyone has. Also, please feel free to share any resources/information that you think I should add.
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Reply
- Aika Aika Nov 11, 2009 @ 3:01 am
- I belong to writers, designer and computer whiz plus a business size. :) This lens is so much to offer.
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Reply
- sharessat sharessat Nov 9, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
- awesome lense and thanks for providing such valuable resources this is just what one needs to begin diving into the world of working from home and getting pointed in the right direction. I am sure I will be visiting often it is just to much to take in all at once but great reference point that I will be using.
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Reply
- pinkpig pinkpig Oct 23, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
- great lens and well researched- I have bookmarked some links which I hadnt previously known about (from the artist area- I'm a freelance illustrator) so thanks
and well done
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Reply
- chicky401 chicky401 Oct 23, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
- Very nice lens with a lot of information for people! I have been working at home for over 4 years and you brought resources to my attention that I am going to check out :)
Thank You
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Reply
- PaidSurveysReview PaidSurveysReview Oct 19, 2009 @ 10:11 am
- You must also keep in mind that you will only make what you are willing to put in! If you think there is a quick fix to your financial woes or a way to make money overnight you are kidding yourself and better keep your day job
- Load More
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by moneymaker1008
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