5 Questions to Ask Work at Home Businesses
5 Questions to Ask Work at Home Businesses
Some of the biggest questions on our minds when we see those ads are:
• Can I REALLY make money with this?
• What if it's a scam?
• How can I tell if it's the real thing?
• Why do they want money to get started?
There are 5 DIFFERENT questions that can help you.
The correct answer to these questions doesn't mean overnight success. However, getting the right answers means you are less likely to get burned, lose money, and waste your time. The right answers also give you better odds at success.
1. What credentials does your company have and how long have they been in business?
Look for companies with 10 or more years under their belt. Ask if they will give you credentials. Do they supply a copy of a recent growth chart? A business presentation should include factual information easily verified. Look for credentials (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, awards, news articles, scientific journal data, etc.)
2. Is this a "job" or a "business" opportunity?
You should ask this question because it's important to know the difference. Are YOU looking for a job or a business of your own? If a company is offering you a job, you should have no start up cost involved. A work at home job is simply a paycheck to paycheck type of income that allows you to stay home. Typically, there are few legitimate ways to get a "real" job on the internet. Some companies allow already employed persons to telecommute.
Be careful of companies who "appear" to be a job. You may discover it is actually an offer to show you a list of companies who might have work from home jobs. Sadly, these types of schemes charge you a fee for the list. Other types of ads or websites charge you to show you HOW to work from home. Don't be fooled. These are not job offers.
If you are looking at a legitimate business opportunity, you will find there is usually an investment. Sometimes the investment will cover a product kit or maybe it covers training materials. Franchising can have larger investments. Occasionally, you find opportunities that charge a licensing fee. This fee allows you to represent the company. Many times it can be hundreds or thousands of dollars to get started. The investment will depend on the type of business. In this author's experience, you can have a legitimate home business with unlimited income potential without the huge investment.
3. Can I Really Make Money?
This question is also stated another way: Do I have what it takes? Basically the answer to the question depends on two things. The first is the company's compensation plan. Is it set up so that you can move step by step to your income goals? Does the company share annual income statistics so you can see what the highest, lowest, and average amount of income is companywide? Many companies don't want you to see what other people are making and won't show you. Look for a company that shows you that information. It's important for you to know what is possible from Day 1.
Secondly, depend on yourself and what you know about YOU. If the person who shows you a business presentation isn't making the kind of money YOU want to earn, don't take that as a sign of what the company, the franchise or the opportunity can offer overall. Remember each person is different and your business success ratios will be different from another owner’s. Everyone has different “drive” and moves accordingly.
4. What type of support and training do you offer and is there a charge?
Many home businesses have a really great product and business model. Yet, many people fail when they try their hand at it. What is missing? Why do so many fail? It's the level of coaching, support and resources that make all the difference. Check to see if the business you are looking at offers free or inexpensive ways to get your business up and running. Is the training free? Do you get a business coach? If working online, will you have to pay for a website? What about tech support? Is tech support and website maintenance included at no extra charge?
5. Will I have to Sell Products, Keep Inventory? How Much is this Going to Cost?
A business that is legitimate is going to be selling products or services. If there is not a product or service involved, it is likely a scam. So, if you do not want to physically exchange goods for money, take orders, deliver products or provide customer service for a company, you may NOT be looking for a business. If you want to be in business FOR yourself, you will need to be involved with products or provide services in some manner.
Some businesses don't require selling, stocking or delivering. You can endorse their product, their company and open accounts or memberships for them. You are in an agreement with them as an independent contractor. Ideally, if you could combine this method with working on the internet, you would be in a 100% home based atmosphere and you would have a very low start up cost because there is NO product or inventory to sell. You'd want to use the company's merchandise yourself so you'd be credible when you setup accounts for them. In that case, a low requirement to use their products for yourself and your family would not be unreasonable. It makes sense. There's little to no new money coming out of your budget when you do that.
If you combined this type of an opportunity with all of the 4 points above, you would have a very good starting point and foundation for being your own boss without a large investment.
5 Questions to Ask Work at Home Businesses - To learn more about this author, visit Krissy Dyes's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
You've seen the ads. They pop up unexpectedly. Maybe you enter a search phrase on Google. Perhaps a friend tells you they saw a website online. Other times, you will find that interesting little something in your email and decide its "okay to check it out."
Some of the biggest questions on our minds when we see those ads are:
• Can I REALLY make money with this?
• What if it's a scam?
• How can I tell if it's the real thing?
• Why do they want money to get started?
There are 5 DIFFERENT questions that can help you.
The correct answer to these questions doesn't mean overnight success. However, getting the right answers means you are less likely to get burned, lose money, and waste your time. The right answers also give you better odds at success.
1. What credentials does your company have and how long have they been in business?
Look for companies with 10 or more years under their belt. Ask if they will give you credentials. Do they supply a copy of a recent growth chart? A business presentation should include factual information easily verified. Look for credentials (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, awards, news articles, scientific journal data, etc.)
2. Is this a "job" or a "business" opportunity?
You should ask this question because it's important to know the difference. Are YOU looking for a job or a business of your own? If a company is offering you a job, you should have no start up cost involved. A work at home job is simply a paycheck to paycheck type of income that allows you to stay home. Typically, there are few legitimate ways to get a "real" job on the internet. Some companies allow already employed persons to telecommute.
Be careful of companies who "appear" to be a job. You may discover it is actually an offer to show you a list of companies who might have work from home jobs. Sadly, these types of schemes charge you a fee for the list. Other types of ads or websites charge you to show you HOW to work from home. Don't be fooled. These are not job offers.
If you are looking at a legitimate business opportunity, you will find there is usually an investment. Sometimes the investment will cover a product kit or maybe it covers training materials. Franchising can have larger investments. Occasionally, you find opportunities that charge a licensing fee. This fee allows you to represent the company. Many times it can be hundreds or thousands of dollars to get started. The investment will depend on the type of business. In this author's experience, you can have a legitimate home business with unlimited income potential without the huge investment.
3. Can I Really Make Money?
This question is also stated another way: Do I have what it takes? Basically the answer to the question depends on two things. The first is the company's compensation plan. Is it set up so that you can move step by step to your income goals? Does the company share annual income statistics so you can see what the highest, lowest, and average amount of income is companywide? Many companies don't want you to see what other people are making and won't show you. Look for a company that shows you that information. It's important for you to know what is possible from Day 1.
Secondly, depend on yourself and what you know about YOU. If the person who shows you a business presentation isn't making the kind of money YOU want to earn, don't take that as a sign of what the company, the franchise or the opportunity can offer overall. Remember each person is different and your business success ratios will be different from another owner’s. Everyone has different “drive” and moves accordingly.
4. What type of support and training do you offer and is there a charge?
Many home businesses have a really great product and business model. Yet, many people fail when they try their hand at it. What is missing? Why do so many fail? It's the level of coaching, support and resources that make all the difference. Check to see if the business you are looking at offers free or inexpensive ways to get your business up and running. Is the training free? Do you get a business coach? If working online, will you have to pay for a website? What about tech support? Is tech support and website maintenance included at no extra charge?
5. Will I have to Sell Products, Keep Inventory? How Much is this Going to Cost?
A business that is legitimate is going to be selling products or services. If there is not a product or service involved, it is likely a scam. So, if you do not want to physically exchange goods for money, take orders, deliver products or provide customer service for a company, you may NOT be looking for a business. If you want to be in business FOR yourself, you will need to be involved with products or provide services in some manner.
Some businesses don't require selling, stocking or delivering. You can endorse their product, their company and open accounts or memberships for them. You are in an agreement with them as an independent contractor. Ideally, if you could combine this method with working on the internet, you would be in a 100% home based atmosphere and you would have a very low start up cost because there is NO product or inventory to sell. You'd want to use the company's merchandise yourself so you'd be credible when you setup accounts for them. In that case, a low requirement to use their products for yourself and your family would not be unreasonable. It makes sense. There's little to no new money coming out of your budget when you do that.
If you combined this type of an opportunity with all of the 4 points above, you would have a very good starting point and foundation for being your own boss without a large investment.
5 Questions to Ask Work at Home Businesses - To learn more about this author, visit Krissy Dyes's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 | |
 |
No article feedback found. |
| |
Leave Your Feedback |
 | |
| |||
Staging DivaDebra Gould, aka The Staging Diva®, is President of Six Elements Inc., an internationally recognized home staging company. Inspired by many requests from aspiring home stagers wanting to start similar businesses, Gould created the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. Gould has trained over 1000 Staging Diva Graduates worldwide to start staging businesses. Buying decorating and selling six of her own homes in four years lead to an interest in real estate staging which she turned into a career with the launch of sixelements.com in 2002. Since then she has staged hundreds of homes in addition to teaching home staging training. Gould is the author of several home staging resources including a series of popular ebooks made up of a Design Guide, Color Guide and Portfolio Guide. For more information about Debra Gould visit stagingdiva.com. - Visit Staging Diva's Website |
|||
Stephanie RobeyStephanie Robey is President and CoFounder of Pivot Positive, LLC - an Internet marketing business focused on helping people start work at home ventures. Previously, she was employed at The Search Agency with over 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She was responsible for launching the Conversion Path Optimization (CPO) unit where she and her team have conducted hundreds of optimization tests for online companies across multiple verticals. She is a successful entrepreneur having started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com Stephanie began her career in the direct marketing realm creating and producing direct mail for many of the major cable television companies and directly attributes her understanding of Internet marketing to those early offline experiences. Stephanie is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BFA in Graphic Arts and also holds an Executive MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Read Steph's Blog Meet Steph and Dave Sign up for our Free 7-Day BootCamp: Self Employed & Rich - Visit Stephanie Robey's Website |
|||
Casey GollanCasey Gollan, Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs. Add $1 Million to $10 Million in the next 1 to 3 years. Since 1996 Casey has to added hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses. Watch a free video see client results Business Coaching website. - Visit Casey Gollan's Website |
|||
John PowerJohn Power, founder of Biltmore Franchise Consulting, has extensive experience developing and marketing franchises and business opportunities. He has been in and around franchising for over twenty years. From 1980 through 1990 he conceptualized, organized, and developed the American Video Association. He grew AVA to 2,000 national members, before selling the company it 1990. It was later merged into another home video marketing company. From 2000 to 2005 he worked as a contract marketing and human resources consultant to several local and national companies. In 2005 Mr. Power began working as a franchise development consultant on a full-time basis. Since that time he has helped more than three dozen companies initiate and develop their franchising program. He notes that there are many companies interested in developing a franchise program, and who need his specialized assistance. Mr. Power is a “hands-on” franchise consultant. He said, “I am the ‘nuts and bolts’ person who tends to the details for my clients.” Mr. Power holds a B.S. degree with a major in Marketing. See: www.biltmorefranchise.com You may contact Mr. Power at: jpower@biltmorefranchise.co - Visit John Power's Website |
|||
Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
|||
Joe DagerJoe Dager is President of Business901, a progressive coaching company providing no-nonsense direction in areas such as Lean Six Sigma Marketing and organized referral marketing. What others say: In the past 20 years, Joe and I have collaborated on many difficult issues. Joe’s ability to combine his expertise with “out of the box” thinking is unsurpassed. He has always delivered quickly, cost effectively and with ingenuity. A brilliant mind that is always a pleasure to work with.” - James R. If you want to learn more about Business901, start a conversation with us. We can be found @ Web/Blog: Business901.com Web/Blog: FundingYourNonprofit.com LinkedIn Profile Follow me on Twitter - Visit Joe Dager's Website |
|||
Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
|||
John BrennanJohn Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website |
|||
|
To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us. | |||
 | |
|  |
Subscribe to Krissy's articles
 | |
|
|  |
 | |
|
| |
 | |||||||
|
 | ||
 |
||
 |
||
|
||
|
| ||
 |
| Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details. |
|
|
 |
| Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media |
|
|
 |
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"
Click Here To Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
|
|
|
 Salesperson Selection Balanced Leadership Manners, Positivity, Heroics CAN-Spam Checklist Disappearing Leader |
|
 | ||
 |
Top 50 Productivity Blogs
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008 | |
 |
Guide To ERP Software
Business Management Software | |
| ||
 | ||||
| ||||
|
| ||||
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
|
|
|
