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Work at Home Ideas

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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

There is a HUGE market for writers, whether freelance or contract! Here are some of the most popular ways to earn.

workathomewriting
  1. Blogging
  2. Writing Articles
  3. Reviewing Products
  4. Copywriting
  5. Writing and Selling eBooks
  6. Writing Newsletters
  7. Content Editing
  8. Content Writing
  9. 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

Some creative work at home ideas.

workathomeartist
  1. Sell Photography to Websites
  2. Graphic Design
  3. Animation
  4. Paid to Upload Multimedia
  5. Viral Videos
  6. Podcasting
  7. Video Blogging
  8. 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

workathomecomputerwhiz
  1. Website Design
  2. Web Coding
  3. Software Programming
  4. Website Flipping
  5. 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

Are you an expert on a particular subject? Or maybe you know a little bit about a lot of different things. These jobs may be for you.

workathomeknowitall
  1. Online tutoring
  2. Online proofreading
  3. Make How-To Videos/eBooks
  4. Be an Online Guide (ie: About.com guide, ChaCha guide)
  5. 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

These jobs require almost constant interaction with others.

workathome2
  1. Forum/Chat Room Moderator
  2. Start a Message Board
  3. Customer Support
  4. Telemarketing
  5. Virtual Call Center Agent
  6. 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

These jobs require a person to be really determined. They have to set goals for themselves and really go after them. They also need to be persuasive, personable, and willing to take risks.
  1. Affiliate Marketing
  2. Network Marketing
  3. Promote Other People's Websites
  4. 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

These jobs require people who pay a lot of attention to detail. They are mostly clerical in nature.

workathomeperfectionist2
  1. Transcription and Medical Billing
  2. Translation
  3. Data Entry
  4. Word Processing
  5. 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

None of these methods should be used by itself if you want to make any kind of decent income. That's okay though because none of them are all that time-consuming.

Also, none of these require any sort of special skills or abilities.

workathome
  1. Paid Surveys
  2. Focus Groups
  3. GPTs (Get Paid to Complete Offers)
  4. Paid to Click
  5. Paid to Search
  6. Paid to Read Emails
  7. Paid to Post in Forums
  8. Paid to Test Products
  9. Paid to Drive
  10. Paid to Complete Simple Tasks
  11. Paid to Play Games
  12. Mystery Shopping
  13. Decoy Agent
  14. E-juror
  15. Paid to Rate Music
  16. Paid Social Networking
  17. 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

  1. Sell Your Services
  2. Sell Your Inventions
  3. Sell Your Home-Made Creations
  4. Sell Other People's Things For Them
  5. Direct Sales

Services You Can Bank On

These are only some of the more popular or unique home business ideas. The possibilities are really unlimited.

Note: I'm not including products you can sell because, well, you can sell anything!

workathomebiz2
  1. Home Day-Care Center
  2. Babysitter Referral Service
  3. Catering Service
  4. Bed and Breakfast
  5. Party Planning
  6. Resume Writing Service
  7. Scrapbooking
  8. Rental Services
  9. Matchmaking Service
  10. Designated Driver Service
  11. Gift Baskets
  12. Antiques Dealer
  13. Errand-Running Service/Personal Shopper
  14. Framing Service
  15. Cleaning/Home Organizing Service
  16. Animal Breeding
  17. Writing Giftcards
  18. Invent a New Product
  19. 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!

This list is certainly not exhaustive. Practically anything can be made into a work at home job. That's one of the advantages of working from home! Think of any hobby, skill, or activity you love or always wanted to try. Brainstorm how you could turn it into profits!

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.
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Books I Recommend

Here are some excellent resources for working at home.
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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 Nov 11, 2009 @ 3:01 am | delete
    I belong to writers, designer and computer whiz plus a business size. :) This lens is so much to offer.
  • Reply
    sharessat Nov 9, 2009 @ 12:11 pm | delete
    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.
  • Reply
    pinkpig Oct 23, 2009 @ 6:41 pm | delete
    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
  • Reply
    chicky401 Oct 23, 2009 @ 1:08 pm | delete
    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
  • Reply
    PaidSurveysReview Oct 19, 2009 @ 10:11 am | delete
    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
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Important Notice

I worked really hard on this lens and put a lot of effort into finding legitimate opportunities and resources to include. Since this is the case, I hope that you don't think about plagiarizing any of it. I do check for this often, and I am willing to take action if I find you have copied my work. Please respect my work and do not steal. Thank you.

by

moneymaker1008

I'm Danielle and I am a work at home college student in New Jersey. I love to blog, write, take paid surveys, do GPTs, and watch movies.

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